Jan 18: Students to kick against postponement —NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Wednesday, said students will fight against any postponement to the January 18 earlier date scheduled for the resumption of schools.

NANS President, Sunday Asefon, stated this in a telephone interview with Topnaija.

According to him, the academic environment is more orderly and it makes it possible for the enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols including social distancing, use of face masks, and regular handwashing.

He said the students’ body had ordered its chapters in all tertiary institutions to set up COVID-19 task force teams to enforce all guidelines outlined by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and ensure safe reopening of schools.

Asefon said, “We want schools to resume on January 18. Schools are regimented environments and people will follow COVID-19 protocols more in schools than in their houses where there is no organisation. Schools are well-structured and lecturers will enforce social distancing and wearing of face masks in classes. It is strategic.

“We will fight against any further postponement. We have our way of doing things and we will make it known that we are against it.”

Topnaija had earlier reported that the PTF, on Tuesday, said schools in the country will resume on January 18 until the Ministry of Education announces further directive.

Students of public universities have been at home since March 2020 when the Academic Staff Union of Universities began a nine-month-long strike over certain demands. The union, however, conditionally suspended the industrial action on December 24, 2020, after a lot of foot-dragging by lecturers and the Federal Government.

Yet, when students were hopeful of returning to classrooms, the country entered the second wave of the pandemic while the PTF subsequently ordered schools to remain closed till January 18 to contain the spike in COVID-19 infections in Nigeria.

ASUU has since insisted that it is not safe for lecturers and students to return to classrooms as it cannot guarantee social distancing in crowded classes and congested hostels.

The PTF is expected to hold a briefing on Thursday and Nigerian students are waiting to know the position of the government.