The Masters at BOCMA and MENPS have missed half of the 2nd and all of the 3rd trimester of the 2019-2020 school year. “It has been a huge disruption especially for our students who were scheduled to advance from primary to secondary level”, says BOMCA principal Maria Ndulor.
Advancing students have been frustrated by the hold up. Thankfully, the Nigerian government is allowing “exit classes” to return to school. “The ministry of education has directed that exit classes may return on August 4th so that they may take their exams needed to advance”, says Rev. Leo Okonkwo.
The sudden announcement by the Ministry of Education comes with conditions for ensuring public health during the ongoing pandemic. While data have shown so far that COVID-19 does not spread as quickly in children, the government insists schools take every precaution in reopening.
“We need an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of children reporting symptoms as well as enough face masks and surgical gloves”, Rev. Leo explains. These emergent medical supplies for reopening will cost $5,000.
Please be generous in helping the Masters get back to school safely!
The Masters are eager to return and begin learning again. “Many students have expressed great dissatisfaction to me at having to stay home for so long”, Maria Ndulor laments. “I feel sorry for them because they didn’t choose this.”
Nigerians are resilient and have experience in dealing with various infectious diseases, especially in rural areas such as where BOMCA and MENPS are located.
But, during this COVID-19 pandemic, they need YOUR extra help!
Through generosity of spirit, we will obtain the needed supplies so that the Masters will be able to pick up where they left off in their education and formation to become the Servant leaders (Mt. 20:26) of the future!