TheCable

The federal government has directed all public and private primary and secondary schools in the country to resume academic activities on September 22.

The government had earlier postponed the date to October 13 to prevent massive spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

It subsequently expressed happiness with the progress made in containing the virus, and minister of health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu would then give the indication that schools would be allowed to resume by mid-September. The announcement, he said, would be made by minister of education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.

Speaking on Friday, Shekarau said September 22 was arrived at during an emergency meeting with the 36 state commissioners for education.

He directed the state ministries of education to ensure that a minimum of two staffers are trained by competent health workers to be able to handle suspected cases of Ebola.

Shekarau added that the trained persons should in turn sensitise all staff of the school. He advised states that had not appointed designated desk officers on Ebola information to do so before the resumption date.