The Government of Benue State has announced Monday, September 21, 2020, for the reopening of schools across the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, made this disclosure to reporters on Wednesday in Makurdi, saying that both public and private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions would resume for academic activities on that the day.
The Commissioner further explained, that the resumption was for the first term of the 2020/2021 academic session, while noting that the third term for other categories of pupils and students, except Junior Secondary School 3(JSS3) and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3), and the payment of school fees had been cancelled.
“Let me emphasise on the issue of school fees so there is no confusion, because if the third term is cancelled, school fees for the term are also cancelled.
“But in the case of JSS3 and SSS3, parents are expected to pay their third term fees. However, those who have not done the third term, they don’t need to pay fees, and this applies to private and public schools,” he clarified.
Ityavyar also added that parents are to provide face masks and hand sanitisers, while the school authorities will provide hand washing facilities and ensure that the government COVID-19 guidelines are followed strictly.
He stated that schools with large population would are to resume morning and afternoon sessions to avoid overcrowding, as strict COVID-19 preventive measures will be put in place.
“The first term would end on December 18, 2020, while the second term of the 2020/2021 session would commence on January 7, 2021 and end in March, the same year.
He also called on the Benue people with required qualification to apply for the National Teachers Scheme under the University Basic Education Board, UBEC, adding that any interested individual should contact SUBEB for more information.
State Governments across the country have started fixing date for school resumption in their various state, shortly after the federal government through the Presidential Tax Force on COVID-19, gave states the go-ahead to begin a gradual reopening of schools, while emphasizing full compliance of COVID-19 protocols.
