Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, at the weekend, enjoined parents to provide home teachers for their children following government’s failure to reopen school due to coronavirus, urging them not to jeopardise the lives of their wards.
Umahi, who spoke through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Onyebuchi Chima, in Abakaliki, said some parents had hired teachers to teach their children at home and asked those who had not done so to quickly engage one.
He warned that parents may expose their children to the dangers of contracting the virus and urged them to exercise care in the choice of teachers they hire.
He, therefore, called on parents to ensure that any home teacher they hire was tested and thoroughly examined, warning such home teachers against taking children to schools for lessons.
He said any home teacher caught teaching children in classes would be prosecuted in line with the state COVID-19 law.
“We refuse a situation where they open school and put children in a closed setting, wear them mufti in the name of organising home lessons. We wouldn’t accept that, if anybody is caught doing so, such person will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the state’s COVID-19 laws.
“But in a situation where parents know that it is safe to recruit somebody to teach their children at home, we cannot say they shouldn’t do so, but it is against the law to dress the kids in mufti, carry their bags and go to schools disguised,” he stated.
He advised parents to ensure that they observe all COVID-19 protocols and if possible have them tested for the virus before allowing anybody to their houses to teach their children.
“It is happening overseas and some parents have even taken time off work to start teaching their children. Parents should do their best for their children but the should not jeopardise the lives of their children,” he added.
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