Peter Ayoade, Ibadan
In preparation for Schools’ resumption in Oyo State, the State Universal Basic Education Board has just concluded a 3-day training of 2, 454 Head Teachers in the State, on Covid-19 preventive measures.
The Training session was held across all Educational zones in the State. It commenced on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 and ended on Thursday, September 10, 2020.
It will be recalled that the pandemic broke out in the Country around March 2020, which led to the total closure of schools.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said in view of World Health Organisation’s submission that Covid-19 might be with us for a while, the Board in collaboration with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have begun capacity building of all teachers at Primary school level as directed by the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control.
He added that the training is complementing Oyo State Government’s efforts in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the State Government had earlier organized and funded training of School Administrators on COVID-19 preventive measures for both Primary and Secondary school teachers.
Adeniran further said that the State Government’s zeal is to prepare Headteachers for a safe and hitch-free reopening of schools and learning facilities, while it takes into consideration the health, safety, environmental protection and security of learners, teachers, education personnel and families.
He admonished the facilitators at the training to follow stipulated measures as well as recommendations put in place by the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control and Oyo State Emergency Operation Centre.
While commending Governor Seyi Makinde, he said his leadership quality has helped leaders at all levels in Nigeria to adopt reasonable policies and strategies in fighting the pandemic. He also thanked UBEC for its collaborations and supports with the State Government.
He added that the State Government has aligned some of its policies and actions along with Federal Government, International Agencies, MDAs, so as to prevent the escalation of the disease within school environment and the entire populace.
Adeniran stated that proactive steps of the Board, through its Learning-on-air programmes cushioned the devastating impact Covid-19 might have had on the pupils.
The six major topics in the training, organised by Oyo State Emergency Operation Centre focused on managing schools and ensuring safety in the post-COVID lockdown; the concept and practice of social distancing and its implications; promoting personal, environmental hygiene and cough etiquette as safeguard against COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.
Other topics include, observing other preventive measures against COVID-19 with the use of face-mask; dealing with the psychological effects of pandemic and lockdown on learner and helping them to overcome the trauma and adjust to the realities of the disease; and identifying and responding to learners showing signs of illness.
The training had in attendance the representatives of UBEC, Nigeria Union of Teachers and Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria.
