The Kaduna State Government in Nigeria’s north-west has announced the closure of schools across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state following a second wave of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the state.
Dr. Shehu Makarfi, the State Commissioner for Education, in a statement on Tuesday, ordered all schools in the state to close as from Wednesday, 16 December 2020.
Makarfi said the measure was taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic following its second wave in the state.
According to him, the rising cases of COVID-19 show a replica of figures recorded in the first wave of the pandemic in April, May and June 2020, indicating that a new wave of the infection is rapidly spreading across the state.
He noted that the State’s Ministry of Health has further confirmed that, while the infections cut across age groups, the new wave especially, affects those between 10 and 35 years (which form a majority of the populace in the education sector).
He added that all examinations must be concluded on or before Tuesday, 15 December 2020 in all institutions of learning across the state.
According to him, physical classes in universities and other institutions of Higher Learning would not be held during the period of closure, but institutions can make other arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their continuity and contingency plans.
The statement said, “Learners in the basic, post-basic and secondary school levels could continue learning while at home from the Kaduna State TV and Radio e-Learning Programmes,” adding that “the ministry wishes to inform the general public, parents, guardians and students of the date of school’s closure due to rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the state which shows a replicate of figures recorded in the first wave of the pandemic in April, May and June 2020. Indicating that a new wave of the infection is rapidly spreading across the state.”