Mixed reactions have plagued the announcement made by the Nigerian government of its readiness to reopen schools nationwide, which were shut in the wake of the diagnosis of Ebola virus disease in the capital Lagos.

The confusion began when the Nigerian government said schools would be reopened on September 22 instead of the previously announced October 12.

In its initial response to the government’s decision, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) its unhappiness about the decision. Speaking through the association’s national secretary Dr. Olawunmi Alayaki, NMA said schools ought to be shut until the government can ascertain there is no one that had tested positive for Ebola virus disease.

But after a meeting with the education ministry, the association finally agreed with the health ministry and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) on the decision to reopen schools.

What Nigerians are saying

Just like the health professionals, Nigerians are also divided on the issue, most basing their arguments on the ability of the students to take precautionary steps and the availability of neededinfrastructures.

Onaoluwa Abimbola, a medical laboratory scientistwith a younger sister in one of Nigeria’s universities thinks only older students should be allowed back to school.

“For parents of children aged 5-13 years, I would say No! Their schools should remain closed until there is the provision of some basic facilities such as temperature detectors for each school, hand sanitizers/wash hand basins with foot pedal-controlled taps,”Abimbola said.

She faulted the government for failing to listen to those calling for the suspension of school resumption in the country.According to her, schools should not be opened until the government can provide semblance of safety/security for the children.

Nigeria has a multi-level education system involving the federal, state and local governments. Even though some state governments such as Osun are modifying their state’s education system, the nation largely uses the 6-3-3-4 education in which students spend 6 years in primary school, 3 years in junior secondary school and 3 years in senior secondary school. A minimum of 4 years is also expected for tertiary education.

In terms of authority, the central government only has total influence on the federal government-owned institutions and at best, it can only advice state governments on matters relating to the school system.

This is why despite the consensus reached by the federal government with the education and health ministries, professional bodies and other stakeholders for schools to  open on September 22, some state governments including Kwara, Ogun, Oyo and several other state governments had postponed school resumption blaming unsatisfactory level of preparedness – training and deployment of necessary tools and skilled personnel to schools.

God Will Take Care of Them

Nwachukwu Uzoamaka, the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) Nigerian representative who was recently involved in a volunteering exercise in schools in Lagos and other states in southwest Nigeria said there was no reason to continue to keep children at home.

By keeping them at home, she said the children are getting scared by being made to believe they would automatically get the disease in schools upon resumption.

Uzoamaka told AFKInsider: “As parents and guardians, we have failed to answer these questions. Why didn’t the government close down markets? Why didn’t they close down churches and mosques?Why didn’t they stop people from travelling?”

“These are places we ought to be scared of but we still go towards this places everyday… If the virus had not spread since all this period thru these places, then schools should open.”

According to her, the children now have more idea about the virus and can manage their hygiene properly. “My little family friend has started observing hygiene and knows that she doesn’t hug everybody.”

“Keeping children at home would not stop the virus because we all travel every day.”

Corroborating Uzoamaka, Toyin Kolade a Nigerian mother said she would allow her children to go back to school.

“I will. They would be safe in God’s hands,” she said.