Dan Ezeigwe & Blessing Uchendu
Six months after students were forced to vacate schools because of COVID-19 pandemic, public and private schools in Anambra State have resumed academic session with strict COVID-19 safety checks as mandated by the government and healthcare providers.
The phased resumption which excludes crèche and nursery pupils is a follow-up to earlier partial opening of schools to allow students in exist classes take their exams.
At schools visited by the ABS crew, students, teachers and every other individual coming into the vicinity were checked with infrared thermometers, while those who do not have their face masks and hand sanitizers were sent back.
Water containers and soaps were also placed at strategic entrances for washing of hands while some schools visited also have isolation rooms in case of emergency.
Alternative classrooms have also been provided to allow for spillover from the mandated number of students for each classroom.
At Girls’ Secondary School, Awka, activities have already begun to ensure that while the environment is safe, both students and teachers follow the safety protocols to the latter.
The Principal of the school, Lady Winni Ibezim, who commended the state government for giving the green light on the resumption, noted that while proper planning has been done to ensure that everyone in the school is safe, an isolation room has also been provided for any emergency.
The Principal of Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka, Mr Jovita Arazu, who noted that the vacation of SS3 students who just rounded off their exit exams has made way for extra accommodation for the separation of students, assuring parents that their children would be safe.
At Comprehensive Secondary School, Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, where classes have gradually begun, the Principal, Reverend Augustine Otiji, commended the Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, whom, he said, drew a perfect timetable to accommodate space-related difficulties.
Academic activities at Community Secondary School, Umuokpu-Awka, Awka South Local Government Area, were on with Mrs Rose Onugha, who is the Principal of the school, disclosing that the students were already prepping for their resumption test as directed by the state government, while students in JS3 class were gearing up for their Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, which comes up this Thursday.
Meanwhile, in Onitsha the early morning showers of yesterday did not deter students and pupils from going to school after several months of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
They were seen as early as seven o’clock in the morning heading to various locations of their schools.
Some of them had facemasks while others do not have.
Keke riders made brisk business of conveying school children to their various schools, parents and other care guardians were also seen assisting the younger ones.
Some of the pupils that spoke with the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, including Kosisochukwu Idiche of All Saints primary school, Onitsha, and Chiwetalu Nzekwu, all expressed joy over the resumption.
On her part, a parent Mrs Modesta Nwoye, thanked the state government for her vision of reopening schools, advising students to make judicious use of the limited time to imbibe knowledge.
Correspondent, Blessing Ijedibia observed that the early morning traffic congestion usually experienced at major routes in Onitsha that disappeared for months, now reappeared as vehicles on school run flooded the roads.
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