While addressing journalists in his office, Offiong expressed surprise at NUT’s action, stating that the Union was adequately represented at the recent sensitization of stakeholders and training of teachers on preventing the spread of Ebola Virus in schools, held in six centers of the state.
The Commissioner disclosed that the State Government has released N10, 000 to each public secondary school across the state to facilitate the procurement of water reservoirs and hand washing equipments in schools, as well as set up a rapid response team made up of members from both the Ministry of Education and Health. The team he said is to liaise with various schools on Ebola related issues.
He further revealed that the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, has also made funds available to primary school heads to procure water reservoirs and other Ebola preventive equipment in public primary schools across the state. The Education Commissioner called on all stakeholders including the NUT to join hands with the state government in its effort to provide a conducive academic environment in schools, adding that the Ministry’s inspectors have been monitoring compliance over government’s directive on the provision of basic equipment to promote hygiene and sanitation in schools.