The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has clarified the controversy surrounding the resumption of schools across the country.
According to the PTF Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Federal Government has yet to approve the resumption of schools.
Mustapha made the clarification on Thursday in Abuja at the PTF briefing on COVID-19, days after the government said graduating students could resume classes in preparation for their examinations.
He said, ”For the avoidance of doubts, schools have not resumed. Only critical examination classes will be allowed to resume for those who need revision before examinations.
“As we have informed you, the Federal Ministry of Education will consult further with stakeholders before issuing guidelines that will lead to full resumption.”
“We appeal to Nigerians to continue to show understanding and to ensure that their wards take full advantage of electronic platforms provided for learning,” the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) added.
He reminded Nigerians that the PTF had announced some limited measures for the education sector, although he insisted that it was still not safe to reopen schools.
The PTF chairman explained that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the resumption for graduating students in order not to truncate their progression.
He said the President approved that arrangements be made for them to resume for those who needed revision before the commencement of examinations.
Mustapha, however, decried that this aspect of the President’s approval had been subjected to several interpretations and misinterpretations.