From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate in in the 2019 election Comrade Issa Aremu,has urged the Federal Government to negotiate an out-of-season date for WAEC, SSCE until the COVID-19 curve which is currently on the rise would have flattened sufficiently, because it is the only living and healthy students can write any examination
He made the assertion during 2020 International Nelson Mandela Day (MD) celebrations held in kaduna yesterday.
According to him the Nigerians Students’ lives matter and the government should follow the foot steps of country like Kenya where schools will remain shut till 2021.
Aremu who is the Vice President Industriall Global Union said there should be continuous dialogue by all Stakeholders on how to reopen schools with a view of protecting the lives of students and ensuring digital creative learning processes.
The Labour leader added that timetable for the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) senior school certificate examination (SSCE) has been announced to commence from August 4 and this is not in the interest of the students.
“ After four months of closures, there are discussions on possible reopening of schools first for pupils and students in primary six, Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3 to enable the pupils/students prepare for examinations to complete a phase of their education.
“ Despite the enormous challenges, the Presidential Task force on COVID:19 has done creditably well.
“ Also many state governors like that of Kaduna and Kwara have risen to curtain the pandemic. One of the commendable decisions of the Federal government is the the stay-at- home- order issued by the minister of education in March after due consultations with stakeholders and derived from empirical data from Nigeria’s COVID-19 Presidential Task Force (PTF). “He said
Speaking on the 2020 International Nelson Mandela Day (MD) under the theme: COVID: 19: PREVENTING THE SPREAD IN SCHOOLS, Aremu said July 18th is the annual Nelson Mandela International Day ( NMD). It was declared by the United Nations in November 2009. NMD honours and celebrates Nelson Mandela’s birthday which is July 18 for his selfless service to humanity, the only one to be so recognized.
“ International Nelson Mandela Day is NOT a public holiday but a day to honour the legacy and values of Nelson Mandela. It is a day to highlight Mandela’s work fighting for social justice, in 67 years.
“ It’s a day of a global call to action with the idea that every individual has the power to transform the world and to make an impact.
“The objective is to inspire governments, individuals and organizations to take action to help change the world for the better, for at least 67 minutes in appreciation of the 67 years, 27 years of 67 years in imprisonment for fighting against apartheid and racism.” He explained
