By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
As part of the preparation for schools resumption, the Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board, CR-SUBEB, has commenced the training of 2,210 head teachers and deputies, and 299 principals of both public primary and secondary schools on COVID-19 preventive measures.
The two-day training, which is done in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, kick-started, Monday October 5, with an opening ceremony at the West African People’s Institute, WAPI, Calabar, is also holding in eight centers across the state.
Declaring the workshop open, the Board Secretary, Mr Cyril Itam, stated that the training will help schools adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols in order to keep teachers and pupils safe when schools finally reopened.
Itam stated, “The importance of the training workshop cannot be over-emphasized in the light of the global pandemic.”
The Executive Secretary charged participants to pay adequate attention to suggestions reeled out by facilitators and ensure that knowledge gained at the training workshop is shared with other staff members, who were not privilege to attend the training workshop.
He added, “This training is very crucial, because we do not want to take any chances when it comes to the safety of our children.
“While plans are in motion to re-open schools, it is important that we arm you with the necessary information on COVID-19 to prevent its spread among pupils, students and staff to ensure everyone’s safety.”
In his remarks, the South-South Zonal Director, UBEC, Mr Osahon Igbinobar, stated that the training became necessary to enhance the COVID-19 prevention, early detection, and contact tracing of suspected cases of the virus in schools.
He said, “To ensure that more stakeholders in the basic education sub-sector are abreast with COVID-19 protocols, other categories of staff are to be trained alongside teachers in order to contribute their quota to the safety of pupils and students.
“They include; 113 Quality Assurance Officers and 18 Education Secretaries.”
Upon completion of the two-day training the training team will move to College of Education, COE, Awi, Akamkpa zone on the October 7, to round off the exercise.
