To ensure effective monitoring of the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) the Federal Government has directed that all public and private primary and secondary schools in the country must remain closed until October 13th, 2014.This, it said, is to ensure that adequate preventive measures are put in place before the pupils return to school.
The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, met with the States Commissioners for Education Forum in Abuja Tuesday to discuss how to handle the matter which continues to cause a lot of apprehension in the country.
At the meeting, the Ministry of Health's Director of Ports Health Service, Dr. Sani Gwarzo briefed the meeting on steps to be taken to prevent the spread among school children.
He urged the Ministry and the Forum of Education Commissioners to urgently come up with a policy document on EVD for schools, and back it up with a work plan, adequate funding, and collaboration with other stakeholders on the EVD such as the Ministries of Health and Environment.
Gwarzo cited Ghana which has already commenced training of school teachers and staff of both public and private schools on preventing the spread of the EVD.