Togo Reopens Schools For Final Years Students From June 8

Schools in Togo will gradually reopen for students in exams classes after a high-level meeting with stakeholders in the education sector.

The meeting which was attended by Ministers Affoh Atcha-Dédji of Primary and Secondary Education, Gilbert Bawara of Public Service and Labour, Taïrou Bagbiegue of Technical Education and Sani Yaya of Economics and Finance collectively agreed on June 8 as the date for resumption of classes for students of exams year groups.

Also present at the meeting were representatives of Parents’ Associations, the Coalition for Education for All, Union Centers, and Federations of National Education Unions, including the Coordination of Education Unions from Togo.

The categories of students who will be allowed to resume school include Ghana’s equivalence of Class 6 students, JHS 3 students, SHS 2 and SHS 3 students

The students are expected to spend between 4 to 6 weeks of lessons and then go on to write their respective year group examinations.

The Togolese government is assuring adequate measures have been put place to contain the spread of the viral disease within schools by providing them with handwashing devices and reusable masks for students.

On March 20, the Togolese government temporarily closed down all schools as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

If implemented, the country will become the second country after Cote D' Ivoire to reopen schools in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic in West Africa.

As at 30th May, Togo has recorded 428 confirmed coronavirus cases with 203 recoveries and 13 deaths since the country recorded its first case on March 6.

Meanwhile Togo's neighbour Ghana is yet to make an official statement on whether it will reopen schools or not amidst call for schools to be reopened for final year students.

President Akufo-Addo is expected to announce the way forward after concluding crucial stakeholders such as Teacher unions, Christian and Muslim leaders among others on Friday.