The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the re-opening of schools for students in exit classes so they could take their final examinations.
Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad made the announcement in an update he made on Twitter, where he stated that schools are ordered to resume by August 4th.
He tweeted:
“The federal government orders the re-opening schools for secondary school students in exit classes on August 4, 2020,”
In the message, he said the move was made ahead of the start of the West African Examinations (WAEC) – a region-wide test for graduation from secondary school – on Aug. 17.
A ministry of education statement included in the tweet said students would have two weeks to prepare for the exams.
It said the decision was taken to reopen for students in “exit classes” following a meeting between the ministry, education officials from all 36 states and the Nigerian Union of Teachers.
Nigeria has reported 40,532 coronavirus infections including 858 deaths and the number of deaths has jumped from 460 since the schools plan was postponed on July 9.
But in the last few weeks domestic flights have resumed and a ban on interstate travel was lifted as authorities relax restrictions to open up the economy.