The Kaduna State University (KASU) on Monday said it was ready to reopen on Jan. 25 for the 2020/2021 second semester academic session if given the approval.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Tanko, made this known in Kaduna during a stakeholder’s meeting on the reopening of schools, organised by the Kaduna State Ministry of Education.
Tanko, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Yohanna Tella, said that the university proposed a six-week lecture if allowed to open on Jan. 25.
He added that virtual lectures for large classes of more than 50 students would be conducted for students in the lower levels and physical lectures for small classes of 50 students for those in higher levels.
“We have also planned practical classes in batches of fewer than 25 students for smaller classes and 45 for larger classes.
“The examinations for 100 level and 200 level students will be computer-based,” he said.
The vice chancellor said that the Student Affairs Division Protocols Enforcement Task force would ensure the fumigation and general sanitation of the hostel’s environment.
He said that arrangements had been made for regular waste disposal, availability of disinfectants at toilet facilities, constant water supply, availability of hand sanitiser and face masks.
“We will also train and sensitise our staff and students on COVID-19 safety awareness and the need for social distancing.
“We equally planned to develop and implement hygiene protocols for food and service vendors on campus and employ more cleaners in the hostels for regular toilet cleaning,” Tanko added.
On clinical services, the vice chancellor said that the university would provide adequate basic and essential medications, particularly isolation centre and screening services for suspected cases.
Prof. Muhammad Fatihu, Dean Student Affairs, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said that the university would resume in phases to prevent overcrowding in the campus.
Fatihu said that university, with a population of more than 43,000 undergraduate and more 11,000 postgraduate students could not afford to ask all the students to resume at the same time without putting them at risk.
“We have decided to phase the resumption for the continuation of the First Semester 2019/2020 academic session by dividing the semesters into two.
“Half of the students will resume and conclude the semester before the second batch resume, while the first batch are at home.
“This we believe will help curb the spread of the virus, while all COVID-19 protocols will be strictly adhered to. We will consider normal school hours when normally is restored,” he said.