Imo reopens schools Monday, slams doctors

The Imo State Government has announced the reopening of schools on Monday. The state government had said schools would reopen only when the body conducting COVID-19 test in the 27 councils had completed its assignment.

The Federal Government shut down schools in the country in March because of the outbreak of the pandemic. In a statement, yesterday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, the state government said the decision to reopen schools was reached at the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

But Nwachukwu said: “The resumption is however subject to the adherence to the recommendations of the committee responsible for ensuring that COVID-19 safety protocols headed by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku.”

He said the state government also gave approval for the school system to be fully automated and digitalised.

According o him, the move is geared towards capturing student enrolment, payment of school fees and examination details. He also said the personal data of teachers and students would be captured.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, said automation would make it easy for government, parents, teachers, students, and the public to access information on schools as well as the data of anyone who passed through such schools.

He said the process would be headed by the Commissioner for Education. On the warning strike allegedly being planned by doctors in public hospitals, Emelumba claimed that the move is aimed at blackmailing the Hope Uzodimma government.