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Lagos says public, private schools to reopen September 21
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The Lagos State Government has announced dates for the resumption of public and private schools after closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a statement issued Sunday by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, the ministry is adopting a phased approach to the reopening of public schools in Lagos State in order to enable them to meet COVID-19 physical distance rules and safety protocols.
She explained that the present set of JS3 and SS2 students in public schools in the state are to resume classes from Monday, 21st of September, 2020.
So as to allow JS3 students who are already in an exit-class to revise and prepare adequately for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination, organised by the Lagos State Examination Board and scheduled to hold between 6th and 12th October 2020.
The commissioner added that the resumption would also afford the present SS2 students the opportunity to prepare effectively for their transition to SS3, as the scheduled dates and venues for their entrance examination into Lagos State Model Colleges would soon be announced.
She assured parents that announcements relating to the resumption of other classes would be made as soon as the government was certain of safety.
Adefisayo disclosed that the students belonging to the yet-to-resume classes in public schools would continue their lessons on the various distance learning platforms created by the state government.
She spoke of government’s strong desire for school owners to institute all necessary safety protocols as well as resume in phases similar to the plans for public schools.
“Phased opening includes strategies for staggered resumption in the mornings, classes on alternate days during the week and teaching through various distance learning methods”.
“Schools must also comply with safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance, which will also continue to monitor and evaluate Schools’ preparedness”, Adefisayo said.
She emphasised that pre-primary classes in both public and private schools would remain closed until further announcements were made. While reiterating that the pandemic still existed, she urged all stakeholders to prioritise the safety of the children, teachers and parents. #LASG