LAGOS State Government has announced dates for the resumption of public and private schools after the closure that resulted from the global COVID-19 pandemic a few months ago.
According to a statement issued today by the Honourable 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 JSS3 and SSS2 students in public schools in the State are to resume classes from Monday, 21st of September, 2020, so as to allow JSS3 students who are already in an exit-class to revise and prepare adequately for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the Lagos State Examination Board and scheduled to hold between Tuesday, 6th October and Monday, 12th October 2020.
The Commissioner added that the resumption will also avail the present SSS2 students the opportunity of preparing effectively for their transition into SSS3, as the scheduled dates and venues for their Entrance Examination into Lagos State Model Colleges will soon be announced by the State Examination Board.
Assuring parents that announcements relating to the resumption of other classes will be made as soon as the government is certain of safety, Adefisayo disclosed that the students belonging to the yet-to-resume classes in public schools will continue their lessons on the various distance learning platforms created by the State Government.
Regarding the resumption of Private Primary and Secondary Schools in the State, the Commissioner said they are permitted to resume from Monday, 21st of September, 2020, noting, however, that the State Government strongly implores 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 (OEQA), which will also continue to monitor and evaluate schools’ preparedness”, Adefisayo said.
She emphasised that pre-primary classes in both public and private schools will remain closed until further announcements are made and reiterated that the pandemic still exists, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the safety of the children, teachers and parents as well as the whole community.