AFTER the Christmas break, schools in many parts of Nigeria, including Benue State have resumed. The COVID-19 pandemic had threatened resumption until it was finally resolved despite the second wave of the pandemic in view.
REPORTS of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicate a daily increase in the country. This had made the Federal Government hesitant over schools resumption.
IN Benue State as in other parts of the federation, the strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols was a condition handed down to management of schools by the government for resumption.
THE renewed vigour in spread of the pandemic against a dwindling compliance with protocols is the fear as schools resumed.
WHILE schools may be better informed, overcrowding and the non provision of required environment for the observance of protocols, especially in schools, is a cause for concern.
THERE is the need to stress that management of schools are the custodians and primary enforcers of the law on protocols. And as school re-open, it behoves on school authorities to continue to take responsibility: encourage hand hygiene, all surfaces should be disinfected and classrooms should be well ventilated to safeguard their schools as a community and to control the spread of the virus in the society.
FINALLY parents and students need to be re-informed that the control and prevention of the disease is the collective responsibility they cannot avoid and should commit to specific actions and requirements.