The Gombe State Government has threatened to withdraw operational licence of any school that fails to comply with directive to shut down schools to contain the Coronavirus pandemic.
Dr Habu Dahiru, the Commissioner for Education, gave the warning when he spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Gombe.
According to him, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya’s decision to close schools was endorsed by stakeholders from the forum of Emirs and chiefs, traditional and religious bodies.
“For any violation, we are going to take actions against the head teachers and for private schools, revoke their licences.
“We cannot risk the lives of students and pupils who are the leaders of tomorrow,’’ the commissioner said.
Dahiru said that the state government’s priority was protection of human lives and strict adherence to protective measures by relevant government agencies.
He said that closure of schools was to ensure social distancing noting that it would be difficult to achieve 1.5 metres distance in schools that had more than 50 students per class.
He said the closure meant that all levels from pre-school, primary, secondary, tertiary and Islamiyya schools were to obey the directive, adding, “the staff are to vacate too.”
“Yesterday I sent two teams from the state Universal Basic Education Board and another from the Ministry of Education to go round and enforce compliance.
“We had earlier issued a news release and circular to all schools following pronouncement by President Muhammadu Buhari and had also engaged stakeholders in private schools,’’ the commissioner said.
He advised citizens to ensure compliance, stressing that the disease was not a respecter of anybody.
“If you don’t comply, you are likely to be vulnerable since we do not have the facilities to contain the situation if it comes.
“The best action now is to enhance preventive measures which the state government is working hard to ensure,” he said.
Dahiru added that the state government had provided 40 buses to convey exchange students from 19 states back to their homes.
He said that the state was also bringing back Gombe students who were stranded in Sokoto state.
He advised parents to monitor their children, give them homework and assist them in reading.
The commissioner urged students not to use the time to “sleep and chat but read and advance their knowledge-base. (NAN)
