By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, has announced the state’s readiness to re-open schools.

She made the declaration during an interview with journalists in Awka.

Omenugha said that the state was ready for the resumption along with other states adding that teachers in the state had earlier been trained on COVID-19 protocols.

According to her, Primary 6, Junior Secondary 3 (JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3, (SS 3) would resume on Aug. 4, while the West African Examination School Certificate (WASC) would kick off on Aug. 17.

She said the schools are ready for the resumption “as their validation forms had since been filled by school heads to show their readiness.”

While urging teachers to be Information Communication Technology (ICT) compliant, the commissioner stressed that the use of technology in learning and teaching had come to stay.

“I urge individuals and philanthropists of Ndi Anambra to help to encourage teachers in ICT compliance, so that use of technology in teaching will continue in our schools.

“No fewer than 10,000 teachers were trained on ICT in 2019.

“The ICT training has provided the teachers with the skills with which they executed the `on-air-teaching’ since its introduction on April 1, at the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

“An e-conference scheduled for Aug. 1, which would involve Traditional Rulers, Presidents-General and education stakeholders.

“The e-conference would focus on workable methods to sustain e-learning in urban and rural areas across the state.

“COVID-19 has created an opportunity for flipped classrooms.”

Omenugha called on teachers and students to adapt to it.

She tasked teachers and students to embrace creativity in this era so as to be able to continue their global competitiveness, which they were known for.

She also commended the state Government for providing a good platform for Anambra students to thrive academically.