On Tuesday, the Academic Workers Union of Universities (ASUU) worried about the possible spread
of the COVID-19 pandemic in schools as the nation fights the second wave of illness.
After the Senate of Bayero University approved Kano on 18 January for the
resumption and beginning of lectures for the 2020/2021 academic session, ASUU’s concern was announced.
Public Affairs Admin, BUK, Mal. Ahmad Shehu told The Guardian that the decision had been taken at the end of the meeting chaired by Professor Sagir Abbas, vice-chancellor of the university.
Ahmad noted that the university did not cancel the 2019/2020 session, unlike the information making round on social media, but rather modified the previous session to be concluded in April 2021.
According to him, the postgraduate program
will also start Monday 18th January, 2021.
Professor Haruna Musa Sheka, Chairman of ASUU, Bayero University Branch, expressed concern in response to the resumption date provided by the BUK Senate.
The ASUU president regretted that most universities have not fully complied with all COVID-19 prevention
measures and protection recommendations to mitigate further spread of the virus when reopening for lectures.
Professor Sheka, who spotted the incident of 17 Kaduna State University students who tested positive for
COVID-19 after the academic resumption, insisted that more needed to be done to protect the students.
“ASUU is prepared for the resumption but our concerns still remains the readiness for COVID-19 pandemic. We set out three issues that such be put in place to forestall the spread on the virus but the critical matter that is social distancing is yet to be attended to.
“We are aware in BUK the management has purchased the temperature reading machines and engage some students to ensure surveillance and compliance but the issue of social distancing in the classrooms, lecture halls and hostel accommodation is still very much worrisome. We hope the management will act quickly before the lectures commence.”
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN