A group, Imo Indigenes of Good Conscience (IMGOC) has berated the State government over its inability to reopen schools in the state after over a month the Federal Government had given approval to do so.
It would be recalled that schools in the country were shut down in March as part of the measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which broke out across the world earlier.
And the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, recently, directed that states should begin the process of working towards potentially reopening of schools.
In adherence, Lagos, Kogi and some states had subsequently in mid-September reopened schools with compliance to Covid-19 protocol.
But Imo government led by Governor Hope Uzodinma said it has deferred the resumption of schools till an ongoing Covid-19 testing programme in all the 27 local government areas of the state is concluded.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu and made public on Thursday.
Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the group in Owerri, weekend, the President, Kennedy Nwakwasi said that the continued delay in reopening schools in the state was a height of nonchalancy on the part of the government.
He urged the government to emulate other states that have heeded to directives of the Federal Government in the overall interest of her young citizens and the state at large.
Nwakwasi also advised that where the state government is not ready to reopen public schools, they should allow private schools that are ready to reopen in order to safeguard the economy and human capacity development in the state.
He said “We are calling on Imo Government wake up to its responsibility to the citizens and stop engaging in action that is capable of jeopardizing the future of the Imo children as well as affecting the state’s economy and development.
“As far as we are concerned, this government is not seriousness about reopening schools. As we speak there is no measure in place that suggests that to us. No Covid-19 protocol. Nothing.
“Even states with higher cases of Covid19 cases have resumed schools. So what is holding us?
“Since they are not ready to reopen schools, why not allow private schools that have measures in place to begin school activities.
“Because of this situation, alot of parents are taking their children outside this state to states that are ready to educate their children and this is entirely not good for our state.
He continued, “Another worst development is that almost all the teachers in public schools are owed about six months salary arrears. This is terrible and does not say any good of the present administration.
“Honestly we have been left with no option but mobilize our members to take to the street any moment from now to express our concern over this issue, if the government do not act fast and do the needful.”
NIGERIAN HORN
