Kunle Adelabu
The COVID – 19 pandemic holiday will be over for pupils and students in Primary and Secondary Schools in Lagos State effective from Monday, September 21, 2020, as the Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, clarified the government’s positions on reopening of schools.
Schools in the state have been closed down since March this year due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic that is threatening the global village and bringing about new order.
The Governor, while granting the permission for the reopening of schools during a briefing on Saturday (yesterday), also directed private schools’ owners and administrators of public schools to ensure compliance with the COVID – 19 protocols in safeguarding the lives of their students and teachers.
According to the Governor, only students in Junior Secondary School Three (JSS 3) and Senior Secondary School Two (SSS 2) are allowed to resume physical classes in public schools.
The Governor said that the public schools’ resumption would allow the JSS 3 pupils to revise and prepare for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) slated for October 12, 2020, adding that SSS 2 students will use the period to prepare for their transitional exams to SSS 3.
In the case of the private schools, the Governor granted permission to all levels of class in private schools to resume.
He, however, enjoined owners of private schools to consider implementing a staggered daily resumption schedule and classes on alternate days during the week.
Meanwhile, all pre-primary school classes, including nursery, daycare centres and kindergarten, in both public and private schools are not yet permitted to open.
“It has become necessary to issue clarifications regarding the resumption of schools, in order to clear any confusion that may have arisen since the resumption date was announced.
“Public Schools will adopt a phased protocol for resumption of physical classes. Students in JSS 3 and SSS 2 in public schools in Lagos are to resume physical classes from September 21”, Gov. Sanwo – Olu said.
“In the same vein, all private primary and secondary schools are permitted to resume from September 21. We have strongly advised school owners and managers to put safety first and open in phases similar to the announced schedule for public schools”, he added.
“School owners and managers are advised to seriously consider implementing a staggered daily resumption schedule, classes on alternate days during the week, and utilization of distance learning methods as a complement to physical classes.
“All pre-primary – nursery, daycare and kindergarten – classes and schools in both public and private schools must remain closed”, the Governor directed.
The Governor said that all re-opened schools must comply with safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the State Government through the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) and also added that the Department would monitor and evaluate Schools’ preparedness.
“For all other public school classes in primary school and JSS 1, JSS 2, and SSS 1, announcements for resumption will be made as soon as the State Government is satisfied that all necessary resumption protocols have been put in place”, the Governor said.
“In the meantime, these yet-to-resume classes in public schools are expected to continue their lessons on our various distance learning platforms (online, radio, television and WhatsApp) pending the announcement of dates for physical resumption”.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu also directed that all primary and secondary schools in the State that have more than two-storey structures will be subjected to integrity test to ensure the safety of pupils.
