Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions in Benue State will officially reopen from 21st September 2020.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar.
The commissioner said that the resumption is strictly for the first term of the 2020/2021 academic session, noting that the third term for other categories of pupils and students except those in JSS 3 and SSS 3 has been cancelled by the state government, including the payment of school fees.
He said: “Let me emphasize on the issue of school fees so there is no confusion because if the third term is cancelled, school fees for the term are also cancelled.
“But in the case of JSS 3 and SSS 3, parents are expected to pay their third term fees. However, those who have not done third term, they don’t need to pay fees and this applies to private and public schools.
“It was the collective decision of stakeholders in the education sector in the state that all tertiary institutions be fumigated and COVID-19 protocols strictly observed.
“Parents are to provide face masks and hand sanitizers while the school authorities provide hand washing facilities and monitor compliance with social distancing in terms of sitting arrangement.
“Schools with high population would have to operate morning and afternoon sessions to avoid congestion and strict monitoring would be carried out to ensure compliance.
“The first term will end on December 18, 2020 while the second term of the 2020/2021 session will commence on January 7, 2021 and end in March of the same year.”