28th August, 2014
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Thursday commended the Federal Government’s decision to postpone the resumption of schools in the country till 13 October to contain the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.
The Federal Government had on Tuesday 26 August directed primary and secondary schools to resume in October instead 8 September, following an outbreak of the disease in the country, noting that, that the order affected both private and public institutions.
The federal government also said the schools’ resumption date was postponed to enable school officials undergo a two-week mandatory training conducted by health officials on how to handle Ebola cases.
Reacting to the development, NUT President, Michael Alogba-Olukoya, told NAN that the decision was commendable.
Alogba-Olukoya said that the postponement was a proactive and bold step taken to contain the spread of the Ebola virus disease.
“I want to appreciate the Federal Government for the N1.9 billion intervention fund to contain the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.
“I want government to ensure that the fund is judiciously utilised to avoid and prevent more spread of the deadly virus.
“The idea of allowing Nigerian factor as it concerns the fund to fight the disease should be seriously discouraged,” he said.
He also called on government to make efforts in developing vaccines for prevention and provide screening centres where Nigerians can go for test pending the resumption of the schools.
Besides, he said that the two-week mandatory training to be conducted by health officials for school officials was a good decision.
He, however, called on the school authorities, health officials and other stakeholders to exhibit high level of seriousness, commitment and patriotism at the two-week mandatory training.
“My candid advice to all teachers in the system is that they should be conscious of their primary contact.
“They should abide by the rules and they should equally advice the students to comply with the protective measures being put in place by the health officials,” he urged.