The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools has assured the Federal Government of the readiness of private schools to resume for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and other terminal examinations.
The assurance followed the withdrawal of Nigeria’s participation in the sub-regional examination by the Federal Government over safety reasons.
While disclosing this on Monday July 13, 2020, the National President of the association, Chief Yomi Otubela, said at a press conference held via Zoom that the group had prepared its members for resumption in line with the protocols set by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
“I can vouch for our members that have gone through safety measure in their schools. We are over 100 per cent ready for transitional classes to resume.
“NAPPS, as a responsive and responsible association, has shown its readiness to ensure the safe phased reopening of schools for SS3 and SS3 students in private schools in the country by ensuring member schools strictly adhere to the safety protocols recommended by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the school environment,” Mr Otubela said.
“Even though we appreciate the safety concerns of the Federal Government, private schools are fully prepared for safe reopening of schools with investment already made to procure safety equipment as advised by the NCDC to ensure the safe reopening of schools nationwide,” he added.
Otubela stated further that member schools had made provision for handwashing, infrared thermometers, sick bay, hand sanitizers, and face masks for workers.
He stressed that relevant workers had been trained on how to manage the children to avoid the spread of the pandemic.
According to him, seating arrangement has been adjusted to allow for two-metre distance between the children; and schools decontaminated.
He also urged the Federal and State governments to release funds to ministries of education to equip public schools with necessary facilities so their candidates could take the examination with their private school counterparts.
The NAPPS President lamented the country’s withdrawal from the 2020 WASSCE.
He noted that such withdrawal would cause emotional trauma for the affected SS3 students who have been preparing for the examination and may cause them to lose interest in education.
He stated that parents had started demanding refund of examination fees from schools since the news became public.
He therefore expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for including private schools in the N2.3 trillion stimulus loans for businesses affected by the pandemic and pledge to provide them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
