Ebola: Before Schools Resume

Since the Liberian – American Diplomat,
Patrick Sawyer brought Ebola Virus
Disease (EVD) into Nigeria, there has been  a number of adjustments in human activities including the school calendar, all with a view to keeping the spread in check.
Following the Ebola outbreak, the Federal Government had deferred the resumption date of secondary schools in Nigeria from September 8, 2014 to October 13, 2014. The Federal Government later reviewed it to September 22, 2014 on the advice of the Ministry of Health.
Ever since, different segments of the society have spoken for and against the change in resumption date. While those in support of the new date say that people still go to church, market and parties without fear of Ebola, it was unnecessary to keep the schools shut, while others think that it is better to err on the part of caution.
Among those calling for the delay in resumption of schools till October 13, 2014 were the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Nigeria College Principals (ANCOPPS) as well as Parents Teachers Associations.
The National President of the NUT, Comrade Michael Olukoya, while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja  insisted that teachers can only resume if the Federal Government  efficiently trained and provided teachers with necessary preventive and protective gears against Ebola virus in all its schools.
“The NUT is strongly of the opinion that it is better to delay the resumption of schools till October 13, 2014 even when the scourge would have been taken out than rush and open schools only to be faced with attacks of EVD in schools…,” Olukoye stated.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has said its schools cannot resume in September even as hundreds of persons suspected to be infected by the EVD were still under watch in the State. But the Health Minister said in the past one week, Nigeria had had no Ebola case. President Goodluck Jonathan also appealed for understanding for the schools to reopen next Monday.
The Tide thinks that although both sides have very strong reasons for their argument, it is instructive that the Federal Government listen to the people on this matter. Besides, the position that is not likely to cause trouble for anyone in the case of the unexpected is the caution that the teachers seek.
Instead of using this simple matter to kick-start another trouble in the country, the Federal Government can go ahead to open schools in the States that have not experienced Ebola and allow the governments of Lagos and Rivers States to convince themselves of the safety of their people before reopening the schools.
This has become  necessary because experts say all is not yet over with Ebola in West Africa and that it has the potential of getting out of hand. In fact, the Head of Doctors Without Boarders fears that the window was closing on the ability of the world to keep Ebola out.
It is perhaps for this reason that the United States of America is sending three thousand special military troops to West Africa. Similarly, France, China and a number of European countries have volunteered assistance. The reason is clear; if Ebola gets out of hand, not only West Africa but the whole world would be in danger.
Back at home, the Federal Government has a couple of days ago voted N200m for Rivers State to assist in the fight against Ebola. The point is clear, that many people are yet to convince themselves that Ebola is conquered. Indeed, given the life-style of the average Nigerian and the impossible social environment, caution is the better option.
We think that it is better to advocate resumption of schools on safety guarantees by each State, even with the robust treatment and prevention processes set-up by the Government. It will still not be uhuru in Nigeria if the international community fails to address the Ebola scourge in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea because, whatever safety achieved now can be aborted by another Patrick Sawyer.