>
The Oyo State Government has commenced training for teachers from all the Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities in the state on basic procedures for handling COVID-19 in schools, ahead of the June 29 resumption date for primary six, JSS3 and SS3 students.
The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying “the training on reopening of schools is part of the state government’s pre-opening mandate.”
He stated that the training is targeted at getting teachers prepared, in case of any possible identification of coronavirus case, with a view to ensure that teachers and pupils remain safe in schools.
“The workshop is expected to equip participants with necessary knowledge on COVID-19 and how to manage it during these trying times among pupils. Let me add that the workshop has representation from each zone in the state and is aimed at ensuring the safety of children and teachers in the state.
“Asking only primary six pupils to return to school is strategic. Each school is spacious enough to contain all primary six pupils in the state. So, there is actually no cause for alarm.” Adeniran said.
Adeniran added that Oyo SUBEB would look into constituting an Advisory Board to complement the efforts of the state government on combating COVID-19, adding that every school has been mandated to adhere to all precautionary measures during this period.
The SUBEB boss noted that with the threat of coronavirus and the need for pupils to return to schools, it was imperative for the state government to train the teachers who would be in regular contact with the pupils on how to interact and ensure their safety.
“To contain the spread of the disease in schools, Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde has deployed trainers who would train teachers. These trained teachers would in turn train their colleagues on precautionary measures and how to manage each pupil after the long break,” Adeniran said.
He further said that Oyo SUBEB has distributed facemasks to all non-teaching and teaching staff across all Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority in the state.
He said this was part of the Board’s precautionary measures taken to prepare every staff member for the task ahead, adding that each school will provide wash hand basins and alcohol based hand sanitizers.