Child Safety Policies: Lagos places Chrisland Schools on probation

*Folasade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, announces the suspension of the school for an academic session at a recent meeting between the Management and relevant government agencies under the Lagos State Joint Task Force for execution of the child protection and safeguarding policy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As a proactive measure to monitor the academic institution’s adherence to safety policies and guidelines, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has placed Chrisland High School, Ikeja, the state capital, on probation for an academic session.

The State Government disclosed the suspension of the school in a statement published on the Lagos State Government official Web site.

ConsumerConnect reports the move is sequel to recent death of 12-year-old Whitney Adeniran, one of the students of the school, during an inter-house sports competition held at the Agege Stadium, in Lagos State.

Recently, the LASG filed two counts of involuntary manslaughter, and reckless and negligent acts against Chrisland School Limited over the death of the student.

The statement noted Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, Honourable Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, announced the suspension of the school during a recent meeting between the Management of Chrisland Schools and relevant government agencies under the Lagos State Joint Task Force in charge of the implementation of the child protection and safeguarding policy.

The Lagos State Government also directed the Management of Chrisland Schools to implement short and long-term reforms in school governance, including strengthening its risk and safety management procedure.

The government further urged the Management of the educational institution to recruit a certified risk manager to conduct and render a detailed analysis of risk management of the group of schools and ensure all students, staff, and stakeholders of the school affected by the death of late Adeniran are given psycho-social therapy and trauma counselling.

Adefisayo stated: “The stipulated conditions are outcomes of official investigations and reviews by all the agencies that form the Task Force and an example of the usual conditions precedent to reopening schools closed for any form of infraction in Lagos State.”

Responding to the directives, Mrs. Ibironke Adeyemi, Managing Director of Chrisland Schools, was to have assured the State Government that the school would fulfil all requirements as Education Ministry so directed.

The government agencies at the meeting included the representatives of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State Safety Commission, and Office of Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, among others.