Barely, four months after the closure of schools occasioned by the novel coronavirus, secondary schools in Adamawa state have now re-opened to allow SS 3 and Technical Studies (TEC3) students to prepare ahead of the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) scheduled to commence on August 17, 2020.
The Federal Government had earlier directed that students in exit classes across the country be allowed to resume on August 4, 2020, for revision classes ahead of their forthcoming examinations.
In line with the FG’s pronouncement, the Adamawa State Government directed all the SS3 and Technical Studies (TEC3) students in both day and boarding schools in the State to resume on Monday, August 3, 2020.
The West African Pilot News correspondent who monitored resumption in some schools observed that both public and private schools were open to final year students.
At Aliyu Mustapha College in the ancient town of Yola, it was observed that staff was stationed welcoming the students back from COVID-19 lockdown and also asking those with fever, cough, or shortness of breath not to enter the school premises.
In some schools in Yola, the state capital, from the gate, students, teachers, and visitors’ temperature were checked by the security with an infrared thermometer while they are asked to use sanitizer before going into the school premises.
Though not all, however, most teachers and students were seen wearing face masks while washing hand basins with potable water, soap, and sanitizer were strategically located within the school premises and in front of the classrooms.
Mr Ibrahim Hammanadama Tukur, Principal Aliyu Mustapha College said that there was over 60 percent turnout of students to school on the first day of resumption, adding that, virtually all SS3 students were present in school.
He also said that the students have been divided into 20 per class to observe the social distancing directive while a classroom has been set aside as an isolation room in case of any emergency. “We also have a sickbay,” he said.
He noted that the school had supplied infrared thermometer, hand sanitizer, buckets, and face masks.
Another school teacher at Yolde-Pate confirmed that students were asked to come with their face masks. It was observed that an infrared thermometer was used on every student and teacher as they came into the school while wash hand basins with soap and water were provided.
She, however, said that‘’ I am not aware that there is directive whether the students would be tested for COVID-19 or not.’’
SS3 student at the Aliyu Mustapha College expressed happiness over school resumption, saying, it will help her prepare better for her examination.
“At the moment, I am about 70 percent prepared for the WASSCE but with the resumption, I will do better because there is power in collaboration and learning under a tutor amidst colleagues,” she said.
Inside sources say that the Adamawa State Government in its bid to ensure compliance of public and private schools to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for schools reopening on Monday paid a random visit to some schools across the State to assess the process in which the students were received and ensuring that COVID-19 protocols were strictly adhered to in order to reduce the risk of the disease to the barest minimum.
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