However, a major feat was achieved with the relaxation of lockdown in the education sector to allow Senior Secondary School (SS 3) students to write their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), successfully amidst the dreaded Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic without any confirmed case(s).
The very first successful attempt made, propelled the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, saddled by Chief Patrick Ukah, a quintessential Commissioner, strong, a noiseless achiever and self-contained to put on his thinking cap on the next level for the future of Delta State children.
Hon. Ukah, went into his black box along with his think-tanks of Management Team, a set of academicians and educationists brainstormed and chested out for the Junior Secondary School (JSS3), examination which recorded a huge success as there was no suspected or confirmed case (s) of Covid-19 at the preparatory classes, during and after the examination.
As a knowledgeable politician who understands the time and season, Ukah, pulled stakeholders in the education sector along; the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Comrade Sam Dietake, representatives of Post Primary Education Board (PPEB), Ministry of health, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Others are All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Parents Teachers Association (PTA), and other officials of the ministry.
How Did Ukah, Performed The Magic? Training Of Public And Private School Teachers
As preparations were on top gear to reopen schools in August 4th 2020, as directed by the Federal Ministry of Education and in a bid to ensure adequate safety of school children from contacting the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, a total of 5, 697 teachers from both public and private schools across the 25 local government areas of the state were trained on how to observe COVID-19 protocols in schools.
The training, which was organized by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in collaboration with Ministry of Health, was aimed at ensuring that trained teachers in turn would train others in their various schools.
The two-day training programme took place in three centres with large halls in each of the 25 local governments of the state to ensure that social distancing was maintained.
The ever committed Commissioner while addressing the teachers during a monitoring visit to St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, Oshimili south local government area on 28th July 2020, said that the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration was irrevocably committed to safeguarding the health of residents, especially teachers and school children in the state at all times.
Chief Ukah, who stated that the visit was informed by the need to encourage the teachers and to ascertain their level of commitment and participation in the training, said that the state government would provide critical measures to avert the spread of coronavirus in the wake of school resumption.
Supply Of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner reiterated that government would supply items such as hand sanitizers and face masks needed for curtailing the virus in learning environment, with the provision of sickbays for schools where non was available.
Provision Of Buckets, Water And Liquid Soap
The Commissioner who was dogged in the face of the pandemic disclosed that washing buckets would be provided for each school and placed in strategic locations within the school premises, while liquid soap would be given to each of the schools, saying that water tanks would be supplied to schools that have no boreholes/water.
Supply Of Infrared Thermometers
Chief Ukah further maintained that infrared thermometers would be given to schools for temperature screening, where he emphasized that teachers must always ensure that appropriate safety measures were adhered to at all times, even as he said that free toll lines would be provided and urged teachers and students not to panic.
This is in addition to the provision of all necessary materials that would ensure that the virus does not spread among teachers and students with the provision of a conducive learning environment for academic activities.
In the face of the pandemic, Chief Ukah, an ambitious and adventurous team player, didn’t allow himself or any member of his management team to be revaged by the disease as he ensured that in all their meetings with key players in the sector and press briefings in updating the media with developments, all Covid-19 protocols were strictly adhered to.
Despite his interactions with the public, traveling to ensure things are done properly and correctly, he neither any of his management team were reported to have contracted the disease.
The ministry under his watch has successfully conducted the placement cognitive examination for primary six students. These are major feats achieved by the astute Commissioner as it regards external examinations in the state.
Just as there was high ovation for him for the achievements under Covid-19, another shocker hit the air waive as the state government on 23rd September 2020, announced a full blown resumption of primary and secondary schools in the state.
The governor, Dr. Okowa, gave approval for the reopening of primary and secondary schools in the state for the conclusion of the 2019/2020 academic session and the commencement of the 2020/2021 new academic session.
A statement on Wednesday 23rd September 2020, signed by the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Ukah, in Asaba revealed that secondary school students in JSS 1, JSS 2, SS 1 and SS 2 that were yet to write the second term examination would resume from Monday, September 28th, 2020 to Friday, October 9th, 2020 to enable them prepare for and write their second term examinations in order to conclude the 2019/2020 academic session.
According to the statement, Boarders are expected to resume on Sunday, September 27th, 2020.
Also, Primary School Pupils in primary 4 and 5 that are yet to complete the second term examination would resume on Tuesday October 6th, 2020 to Friday, October 9th, 2020.
The statement further stressed that second term examinations would be waived for pupils in primaries 1 to 3.
Mr. Ukah stated that the resumption date for first term in the 2020/2021 academic session for both pupils and students in primary and secondary school would run from Monday, October 12th, 2020 to Friday December 18th, 2020.
While, the resumption date for Second Term is scheduled to commence on January 4th, 2021 and terminate on Wednesday March 31th, 202.
According to the Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner, third term is scheduled to commence from April 12th, 2021 and end on August 13th, 2021.
He added that the resumption for all Nursery/Pre-primary KG 1 to 3 pupils have been deferred to January 2021.
He advised parents and guardians to avail themselves of the resumption dates to prepare their children and wards.
Impressed with his colleague, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, on 17th September said: “We are making attempt to make sure that education does not suffer more than it has suffered. The secondary schools started their external examination that is not under our control.
“And so when WAEC decided to fix the date for the final year exams, Delta state have to key in to it and that singular exercise has become a kind of dress rehearsal for us. How did they coup there? How were they able to manage these younger ones?
“If the principals could manage these younger ones because of what government has put in place, we have hope that we could manage the senior ones. If their younger ones could behave the way expected, be able to write their exams to the extend that we are bold enough now to invite JSS 3 students and primary six children to school, then we can one way or the other invite the senior ones who are in the Colleges of Education, the Polytechnics and the University”, he said.
It would be recall that the Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner successfully conducted examinations for SS 3, JSS 3 and primary six students in the state without any suspected or confirmed case (s) of Covid-19.
There is confidence that the Covid-19 protocols put in place and observed by teachers and students during the just concluded examinations would be maintained as schools reopen.
