We have not reopened schools; FCTA cautions school proprietors, parents over fees

The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) has declared that it has not asked schools to reopen, and parents should not be made to pay any fees. It adds that it would come down hard on defaulting schools that collect the fees.
And with students and pupils at home for nearly six weeks, the Authority says it is on the verge of introducing lessons on radio and television to keep forced holidaymakers busy at home with studies.
The full statement by the acting Education Secretary in the FCTA, Mr. Umaru Marafa, reads in full: “It has come to the notice of the FCTA Education Secretariat that some private Schools in the FCT are disseminating information to parents and students indicating the resumption the 2019/2020 3rd term calendar online  and  parents were therefore expected to pay schools fees for this term prior to the purported resumption.
“The Education Secretariat wishes to remind School proprietors, parents and the general public that the directive closing all schools at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic explicitly stated that this directive was in effect “until further notice” which implies that no academic activities in all Schools in any form shall commence until a notice to reopen is approved and conveyed by the Secretariat.
“The Implication of this is that when the Schools will be reopened, adequate notice of the fact that 2nd term was inconclusive will be factored into the academic calendar which will dovetail into the 3rd term accordingly. Any action taken otherwise is likely to negatively distort the academic calendar of the schools involved.
“In light of the above, any School purporting to reopen for 3rd term before the approved calendar for opening of School post Covid-19 is doing so against the provisions of the extant guidelines on the establishment and operation of Schools in the FCT.
“School proprietors are therefore, advised to maintain the status quo and keep their schools closed and not re-open in any form while they await further directives from the FCTA.  Violators of this directive will face the full wrath of the law.
“The FCTA Education Secretariat has however concluded plans to introduce e-learning platforms to include lessons on radio and television channels to keep the students constructively engaged while the lockdown lasts.”