As part of measures to check the spread of the second wave of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Edo State Government has distributed non-pharmaceutical safety kits to 611 public secondary schools across the 18 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
The items distributed are infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, verometer buckets and banners.
Addressing journalists in Benin City after presenting the materials to chief inspectors of education and heads of schools in public secondary schools in Edo State, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Maris Stella Imasuen said the government is committed to containing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the health of citizens.
She added that the items procured for the schools were distributed through the chief inspectors of education, while school heads are expected to collect the items from the offices of the chief Inspectors, across the 18 LGAs.
According to her, “The government provided adequate materials for the 611 public secondary schools; both junior and senior secondary schools, to enable them to observe the COVID-19 protocols so as to have a safe school environment, conducive for teaching and learning.
She urged school principals to reciprocate the gesture of government by ensuring that the items are put into use, adding, “I urge proprietors of private schools to emulate the state government by ensuring that the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines are complied with, in their schools.
”Imasuen also disclosed that the monitoring team from the Ministry of Education will continue to monitor compliance in all schools, adding that the state’s Ministry of Health surveillance team is also going round schools to ensure that they complied with COVID-19 protocols.
The president of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, (ANCOPPS), Edo State, Elder Comrade Odeh Ebiuwa, expressed appreciation to the state government for the supply of the materials that will enable schools to observe the COVID-19 protocols.