Deputy Education Minister in charge of Basic and Secondary Education has expressed disapproval over the opposition National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) call for parents to withdraw their wards from schools in the wake of the outbreak of Covid-19 in some Senior High Schools.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum in an interview on Joy News’ The Pulse Monday, said the instigation by the NDC could cause stampede and chaos at various schools.

This, according to him, will make government’s fight to control the spread of Covid-19 futile.

“You can appeal to government to close schools but to encourage parents to go to schools [for their wards] imagine the stampede and other things that could happen.

“I think good leadership should prevail. If they believe that there is something that it is not going well, we are a listening government and we are willing work and make sure we will fix any challenges they raise but the idea of encouraging parents to run to the schools and pick their children, is unwise,” he stated,

Earlier today, the NDC at its 7th weekly media engagements urged parents to take their wards out of the various secondary schools to protect them against Covid-19.

According to the party’s Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, President Akufo-Addo’s decision to reopen school despite the increase in Covid-19 is a clear indication that his interest lies in maintaining power by whatever means necessary.

“Nigeria is part of WASSCE and yet they have placed the lives of their students over the exams. Is it not strange that when state institutions record positive cases, immediately the institutions are shut down irrespective of how critical these institutions are? BOST and COCOBOD all shutdown so why are schools not shutting down?” Sammy Gyamfi asked.

But reacting to these comments, Dr Osei Adutwum said the decision to shut down schools amidst a pandemic must be precise to protect the lives of students.

He added that school closure must also be in the interest of the whole country to protect the lives of citizens as well.

The MP for Bosomtwe Constituency then assured parents, “I understand, the government understands, President Akufo-Addo understands and we know that nobody can take care of your children better than you. You are the ones who gave birth to these children so we can never take care of their children as you would.

“But with this government’s decision to reopen schools, if there are any deficiencies, please let us know immediately so that we can solve them.”