The Gombe State Government has inaugurated a 10-man committee for the re-opening of Schools for graduating pupils and students across the State.

This follows recommendation by the Presidential Task force on convid-19 that Schools across the country be opened for graduating students in primary and post primary tiers of education.

The Gombe State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Habu Dahiru who inaugurated the committee said it marks another milestone in the improvement of the education sector in Gombe State.

“You may recalled that the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had on the 24th of March 2020 directed the closure of all primary and Secondary schools in the State as a proactive measure to curtail the spread of the covid-19 virus”.

Dr. Habu Dahiru said Governor Inuwa Yahaya showed passionate concern as soon as the Presidential Task force on Convid-19 recommended the re-opening of Schools for graduating pupils and students for the continuation of academic activities.

Also speaking at the ceremony the Executive chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Hon. Babaji Babadidi said the Board will work in partnership with the State Ministry of Education to ensure that students are protected from the covid-19 virus.

He sought for parents’ support to the State government by ensuring that their children imbibe safety protocols for the prevention of the Coronavirus.

Responding, the chairman of the committee Mr Dilah Magaji said they will work to satisfy the demands of the terms of reference given to them.

The terms of reference for the Committee include; to assess and analyse the impact of Covid-19 lockdown on the academic activities of Primary and Secondary Schools in the state.

Others the commissioner said are, to suggest a diligent and well-thought-out method for gradual reopening of Primary and Secondary Schools in the state in consonance with Covid-19 protocols as well as recommend appropriate methods and best practices to be put in place in the Primary and Secondary Schools as safety nets and precaution for the reopening of all schools in the state.
The rest he said are to make recommendations on how to address and bridge the gaps in teaching/ learning process brought about by the sudden closure of all schools during the lockdown with a view to indentify the lost of academic period and to develop deliberate strategic steps for the sensitization of all stakeholders in the education such as PTA’s SBMC’s Head Teachers/ Principal, among others for the smooth and hitch free reopening of all the schools in the state.

According to him, the committee is to also propose a well planned academic calendar for the requiring period of the 2019/2020 academic session for Primary and Secondary Schools in consonance with the prevailing trends in the country, to develop effective monitoring strategy for ensuring that all schools comply with approved recommendations before, during and after reopening of schools and to advise Government on the financial burden and cost implications of the adopted procedure, amongst others.
The Committee has one week to summit it’s report to the Commissioner of Education, Dr Habu Dahiru.