Lagos clarifies only JSS3, SS2 students will resume September 21

*Lagos State would adopt a phased approach in opening public schools ─Honourable Commissioner for Education

*Private primary, secondary schools are allowed to resume on Monday, September 21, 2020

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the state prepares for phased reopening of institutions of learning, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced that only JSS3 and SS2 students will be allowed to resume school Monday, September 21, 2020.

Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Honourable Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, in a statement Sunday, September 13 through Kayode Abayomi, Head of Public Affairs in the Ministry, disclosed this while reeling off plans for a new 2020/2021 Academic Session resumption for public and private schools.

The Honourable Commissioner for Education stated that Lagos State would adopt a phased approach in opening public schools.

She also congratulating the SS3 students on successfully completing their West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), and urge them to stay safe as they await their results.

The phased approach to opening will enable public schools to meet COVID-19 physical distance rules and safety protocols which will help to watch the manifestation of the pandemic as “we gradually open up our schools.

“The present JSS3 and SS2 students in public schools in the state are to resume classes from Monday, 21st of September, 2020,” Adefisayo said.

She explained that the resumption will permit the present JSS3 students who are already in an exiting class to revise and get adequately prepared for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the Lagos State Examination Board and scheduled between Tuesday, 6th and Monday, 12th of October, 2020.

The Commissioner for Education stressed that the resumption will also afford the present SS2 students an opportunity to prepare effectively for their transition to SS3.

The scheduled dates and venues for Entrance Examination into Lagos State Model Colleges will soon be announced by the State Examination Board, she noted.

Adefisayo, therefore, assured parents that announcements for opening the other classes will occur as soon as the state is certain of their safety.

In the meantime, the Commissioner advised that “the unopened classes in public schools will continue their lessons on our various distance learning platforms (Online platform, Radio, Television and WhatsApp) while the next phase for physical resumption will be announced in due course”.

As regards private schools, Mrs. Adefisayo announced that private primary and secondary schools in the state are allowed to resume on Monday, September 21, 2020.

However, the Lagos State Government strongly recommends and encourages school owners to put safety first and open in phases similar to the plans for public schools.

According to her, the phased opening includes strategies for staggered resumption in the mornings, classes on alternate days during the week, and teaching through various distance learning methods.

She added: “Schools must also comply with safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the State Government through the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA).

“The Office of Education Quality Assurance will continue to monitor and evaluate Schools’ preparedness.

“Please note that pre-primary classes and schools in both public and private schools will remain closed until further announcements are made.”