Schools To Remain Closed–FG

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Tuesday directed all schools in the country to remain closed due to the outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting with Commissioners of Education, Shekarau said both public and private primary and secondary schools in Nigeria will not resume until Monday, October 13, 2014. He warned that schools must comply with the directives, which also apply to Federal Government Colleges, emphasising that any defaulter would be severely dealth with.

“All primary and secondary schools both public and private are to remain closed until Monday, October 13, 2014, which is the new resumption date for all schools throughout the federation. This is to ensure that adequate measures are put in place before the students report back to school,” the Minister told newsmen.

He explained that the move is to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country and also to ensure the safety of all students in Nigeria.

Shekarau further disclosed that all tertiary institutions in the country were advised to suspend exchange of staff and students’ programmes, and major international seminars till further notice.

He revealed that all Ministries of Education should immediately organise training for at least two staff, appropriate health official, in each public and private school on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola. The training, according to the Minister, must be concluded not later than September 15, 2014.