The House of Representatives has opposed the date of resumption of school on Monday due to the increasing cases of COVID-19.

The House said government officials did not consult the relevant committees of the National Assembly, contrary to their claim that all relevant stakeholders were consulted before arriving at the January 18, 2021, resumption date.

The house of assembly therefore demanded postponement of resumption for three months, where necessary safety measures would be put in place and compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

It was gathered that the House Committee  chairman on Basic Education and Services, Prof Julius Ihonvbere speaking with newsmen on Saturday January 16,“They did not consult us; at least in my committee, nobody from the ministry spoke to me. I have been in Abuja. And I am not sure that they spoke to any of my members. They just don’t see us as part of the critical stakeholders.” he stated.

In a statement titled ‘School resumption’ Are we truly prepared?’ which he also issued on behalf of his colleagues, Ihonvbere wondered why government officials are rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure children.

The statement reads, “The Committee on Basic Education and Services, House of Representatives, has received with concern the decision of the Federal Government to reopen schools on January 18, 2021.”

“We are particularly concerned that when the infection rates hovered around 500 and under, schools were closed; but now that it hovers well above 1,000 infections daily, schools are being reopened. Why are we rushing to reopen schools without adequate verifiable and sustainable arrangements to protect and secure our children”?.