The Federal Ministry of Health on Friday said it had taken adequate steps in collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure safety in schools ahead of the Sept. 22 resumption date.
Mr Dan Nwomeh, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Health Minister, made this known in a text message to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
He said the Ministry of Education was responsible for the reopening of schools but the Ministry of Health provided advice to the education authorities to ensure safety in schools.
Nwomeh added that the ministry had provided the same support to all relevant bodies, groups and agencies of government in tackling any possible spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
“The Federal Ministry of Health has done its job by providing expertise advice to the Federal Ministry of Education just the same way it does to those holding rallies and mass gatherings as the NBA conference.
“The Federal and State Ministries of Education and owners of private schools are supposed to act on our recommendations by making the necessary arrangements for the reopening of schools,’’ the text read.
In a related development, investigation by NAN revealed that some schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were making arrangements ahead of their resumption on Sept. 22.
In some of the schools visited by NAN their administrators said in separate interviews that preventive measures were being adopted in compliance with the directive by the federal government.
Mrs Grace Enoyi, the Principal of Madonna Model School, a privately owned primary and secondary school in Garki Area 3, Abuja, said the school would put in place preventive measures against Ebola.
“The school is doing its best to put preventive measures in place against the EVD as well as sensitise both students and their parents about the deadly virus.
“We have Infrared thermometers, buckets with water and disinfectants, soaps; one each in every classroom and another with a teacher.
“Students are checked for temperatures before entering the school, those with temperatures above 38 degrees are not allowed to come in, parents are advised to seek medical help for children with fever,’’ she said.
Enoyi added that the school nurses had attended various workshops on preventive measures and early detection of the disease.
At the Royal Rainbow International School, Lugbe, FCT, the Principal, Mr Samson Okono, said the school would resume on Sept. 22 as directed by the federal government.
He said the management had provided the necessary equipment to check the spread of EVD as prescribed by the ministry of health.
“We have put all measures prescribed by the health authorities in place to ensure the safety of our pupils, students and staff,’’ Okono added.
In another interview with NAN, Mr Tunde Oreoluwa, the proprietor of Morfel Cuddle School, Trademore Estate in Lugbe, said the school would focus on personal and environmental hygiene to fight Ebola.
Tunde said the school had taken measures on how to ensure that every child was Ebola-free when they resume on Sept. 22.
“We will sensitise our pupils and students with the right information on how to know the symptoms of Ebola and the way to prevent contraction,” he said.
According to Tunde, hygiene starts from the gate with disinfectants, a bowl of water and soap for hand washing for everyone who enters the school.
At the La Vogue International Academy, Karu, FCT, also a private school, NAN observed that the school was installing the necessary anti-Ebola gadgets in place.
The facilities being provided at the school’s reception included infra-red thermometres, hand wash disinfectants and gloves.
Besides, the school’s security guards were also seen screening visitors as they entered the school premises. (NAN)
