Akwa Ibom State Government fixes 4 January for resumption of Secondary, Primary Schools
Akwa Ibom State Government has approved 4th of January, 2021 as resumption date for Primary and Secondary Schools to complete the first term of 2020/2021 academic year.
The resumption date is as approved by the State Executive Council during it meeting of today, Wednesday, 30th December, 2020, presided over by the state Governor , Mr Udom Emmanuel at Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo.
Briefing Government House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, explained that the decision of the state government became necessary following the outbreak of Covid-19 which disrupted academic calendar across the country.
“we received reports on the status of schools in preparation for the reopening of schools to complete the first term, we went on Christmas break which should end in January, and the State Executive Council decided that the resumption of schools to complete first term remains January 4th 2021 so that it doesn’t disrupt the academic calendar of government, recall that because of Covid-19 we had to adopt a remodelled academic calendar, we cannot afford other interjections here”, he explained.
Comrade Ememobong, further stated that the State Government in line with prioritizing education in its agenda next year has directed the fencing of all Primary and Secondary Schools across the state and assured that the project is to commence immediately within the Uyo Urban, adding that water facilities would be installed in these schools to promote hygiene and checkmate the spread of diseases among pupils.
“…education being the focus of next year 2021 has received a very detailed attention, fencing of schools across the state has been made a priority and that must commence immediately in all the schools in Uyo, His Excellency the governor directed that all the schools in Uyo will have their fences erected immediately, that will start from Uyo and extended to other parts of the state.
“…aditionally, provision of water facilities in schools is also very important in view of the hand hygiene occasioned by the Covid -19 pandemic, Governor Udom Emmanuel has also directed that all schools with a population above one thousand will receive water facility immediately, for those who had water facilities that are not working there will be rehabilitated as quickly as possible”, he assured.
The Information helmsman added that the Executive Council approved a draft bill for the establishment of Ibom Industrial City which is meant to support the Ibom Deep Seaport and directed that the bill be sent to the State House of Assembly for legislative action.
Also approved by the State Executive Council, according to the Commisioner, is a Mass Housing Estate Scheme for low income earners .
Ememobong explained that the scheme will be operational under the Social Housing Scheme in the state, adding that the council has directed the Commissioner for Housing to liase with the Central Bank of Nigeria and Family Homes Fund under the social housing scheme for the provision of mass housing scheme for Akwa Ibom people.
Comrade Ememobong stated that that the State Executive Council meeting which was the last for year 2020 also observed a minute of silence in honour of the departed former Military Governor, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd.) who passed on the eve of Christmas.