Automatic promotion for students as government fixes resumption date in Ogun

*Governor Dapo Abiodun approves reopening of schools for all classes in primary, secondary schools, technical & vocational colleges and tertiary institutions ─Aide

*Students between ages 3 and 5 will not be resuming in public schools until next phase of schools’ reopening

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following the unexpected disruption in academic activities occasioned by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in Nigeria this year, the Ogun State Government has announced that all students except those in tertiary institutions have been given an automatic promotion to the next class by the state.

The government also announced September 21, 2020, for the reopening of schools in Ogun State for the first term of 2020/2021 academic session.

Mr. Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor (Prince) Dapo Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement Monday.

Somorin said this was in addition to the earlier resumption of students in exit classes.

The CPS said Governor Abiodun had approved the reopening of schools for all classes in primary and secondary schools, technical and vocational colleges, and tertiary institutions.

A resumption schedule for public schools has been developed as part of efforts to meet the COVID-19 guidelines, said Somorin.

According to the governor’s aide, students in primary one to three will attend classes from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., while pupils in primary four to six will learn from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.

In secondary schools, students in JSS 1 to JSS 3 are to attend classes from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and students in senior classes will be in school from mid-day through to 3:00 pm.

He, nonetheless, stated that technical and vocational colleges would operate their normal school hours of 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m., while tertiary institutions are “allowed to commence reopening from 21 September 2020 as may be determined by their respective management.”

Private schools are expected to take necessary measures to meet the COVID-19 protocols for physical distancing, among other requirements, he said.

The CPS also disclosed that students between ages three and five would not be resuming in public schools until the next phase of schools’ reopening.

He said: “It should be noted that the government had earlier announced that all students had been given an automatic promotion to the next class, including automatic placement for primary 6 students in public primary schools into JSS1 of public secondary schools.

“However, primary 6 students desirous of placement into the State-owned Boarding Schools will sit for the Common Entrance Examination on Saturday, 12 September 2020.

“The hitherto JSS3 students who have now been promoted to SS1 will write their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in October 2020.”

Part of the COVID-19 guidelines issued for reopening of schools is still in effect because the management of the virus has been deliberate in ensuring safety for children while minimising the disruption in the school learning calendar.