The Polytechnic Ibadan on Monday informed that it has postponed its first semester examination for the 2019/2020 session scheduled to commence today.

The decision, as learnt was taken in view of the protest embarked upon by the students who protested against inability to complete their registration.

Confirming the postponement of the examination, the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Modupe Fawale said that the decision was taken “to enable students who were unable to meet registration and payment of tuition deadline to do so.”

Fawale added that the examination has been postponed till next week.

“Students are to also note that examination etiquette are sacrosanct hence, any student involved in examination malpractices will be sanctioned.

“Equally, any student caught with cellphone and smart watch will be suspended from the institution and the materials will be confiscated.

“Students are expected to observe all Covid-19 protocols including the use of facemask and those who failed to abide shall not be permitted to take part in the scheduled examination.

“As earlier informed, students facing registration challenges are to go to the accredited ICT centres for solution”, she submitted.

Former Senator Adesoji Akanbi, on Monday recognized the sacrifices and accomplishments of all teachers, commending them for creating future world leaders in their various field of endeavours.

The APC chieftain, who represented Oyo South Senatorial District between 2015-2019, in an emotional appreciation message made available to Mega Icon Magazine, also paid glowing tributes to the teachers for working their hearts out to lift up young people.

Akanbi, who was conferred ‘Distinguished Education Stakeholder’s Award’ by the NUT, Ibadan Southwest Branch said, “here is to the men and women who get up every day and work their hearts out to lift up our young people.

“The men and women who teach our children to make the world a better place.

“The men and women creating future world leaders, Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, Lawyers, Philosophers, Entertainers, and of course, more Teachers.

“To the men and women toiling hard for the betterment of our children, striving for a better future of the nation, we say thank you Sir/Ma.

“Happy Teacher’s Day”, the message concluded.

At least 280,000 school-aged children were infected with the novel coronavirus between March 1 and September 19, detailed data released on Monday in a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed 

The figure, as gathered accounted for roughly four per cent of the total US caseload over this period, with children aged 12-17 approximately twice as likely to be infected as those aged 5-11.

The rate of new cases rose steadily during the spring and then shot up over the summer, peaking on July 19 with an average weekly incidence of 37.9 per 100,000.

The new cases then plateaued for several weeks before declining in late August — though it appears they are now rising again towards summer levels.

The authors wrote that the data helped establish a baseline for monitoring trends of Covid-19 infection as some schools return to in-person learning now and in the coming months.

“School studies suggest that in-person learning can be safe in communities with low SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates, but might increase transmission risk in communities where transmission is already high,” they said.

The report provides more data for trends that were already known, such as that Hispanic and black minority groups are at heightened risk of developing severe Covid-19, as are children with underlying conditions.

Overall, 277,285 children were infected, 3,240 hospitalized (or 1.2 percent); 404 admitted to intensive care (0.1 percent); and 51 died (0.01 percent).

The real rates of hospitalization, intensive care admission and death are likely to be even lower in reality because the actual number of children infected was probably far higher and not recorded, given the number of asymptomatic cases.

Though the risk to children is relatively low, health experts are more worried about the onward transmission risk children could present to their parents or grandparents.

Children in the 5-11 group accounted for 101,503 cases and 20 deaths while those in the 12–17 group accounted for 175,782 cases and 31 deaths.

Chronic lung disease — which includes asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for example — was the most prevalent underlying condition.

The rates of infection varied greatly from region to region and the authors emphasized that local authorities should closely monitor the situation to arrive at the best decision about in-person learning.

AFP