No Reason Schools Shouldn't Resume on Sept. 22 - Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Friday at a media briefing in Lagos said that there was no reason why schools should not reopen on Sept. 22.

``It is for the commissioners of education to advise the principals, at least for public schools, as well as private schools on when they can reopen.

``The ministry of health is like what the weather people are to the nation.

“They will tell you that the weather will be sunny, stormy or there will be heavy downpour, but they can never directly, for example, stop any plane from flying.

``It is for the aviation people to take the advice and combine with other factors to decide whether flights will take off or not.

``So, I want to make it clear that from the technical point of view, there is absolutely no reason why any school, except if they have other problems that are not medical, cannot reopen,’’ he said.

``So, when the minister of education, working with the commissioners of education, said they have revised the opening of schools from 13th Oct to 22nd of Sept., we have nothing against that.

`` If we did, we would have objected or let them know,’’ he said.

Chukwu said the resumption would also give opportunity for children to be taught about EVD.

He also advised people not to relax as EVD was being contained. ``Luckily, we are still winning. Schools have to reopen. But that doesn’t mean we should go to sleep." he said.