Assessment of Compliance Level of Public Schools to Covid-19 Guidelines for Safe School Re-Opening and Learning in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Covid-19 Pandemic has affected educational activities world over including public schools in Nigeria. In a bid to ensure adequate preparedness of schools and learning facilities for safe reopening and resumption of academic activities without placing the health, safety and security of learners, teachers and others at risk, the Federal Ministry of Education through the Universal Basic Education Commission trained school heads, teachers and other education managers of basic schools across the country including Benue State, and implemented the national guidelines for safe reopening of schools and learning facilities. This study assesses the level of compliance by public schools in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State. Data for the study was collected from public schools in the study area using physical observation and questionnaire, and analysed using descriptive statistics. The result of the study reveals that water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructures and practices in public schools in the study area fall short of the guidelines. The result also shows that majority of the schools are not complying with the guidelines as it was evident in non-compliance with social distancing of 2metres apart in classes, lack of platooning and alternate attendance. Based on the result, the study recommends for full compliance with the safe school reopening and learning guidelines for safety of both pupils and teachers