Lagos asks primary, secondary schools to resume Sept 21

The Lagos state government has fixed September 21, 2020, as resumption date of public and private schools for the 2020/2021 academic session.

The schools were shut indefinitely in March as part of measures to check the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, Kayode Abayomi, head of public affairs unit at the ministry of education, said while all classes in private primary and secondary schools are permitted to resume, only JSS 3 and SS2 students in public schools will return to classes.

He said the ministry is adopting a phased approach to opening of schools.

“The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Lagos State Mrs Folasade Adefisayo has announced the plans for both Public and Private Schools resumption in the State after the lockdown of schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement read.

“We also wish to congratulate SS 3 students who have successfully completed their WASSCE exams and urge them to stay safe even as they await their results. The plans for reopening for a new 2020/2021 academic session are as follows.

“The Ministry is adopting a phased approach to opening public schools . This phased approach to opening will enable public schools meet COVID-19 social distance rules and safety protocols and will help us watch the behaviour of the pandemic as we gradually open up our schools.

“The present JS 3 and SS 2 students in public schools in the State are to resume classes from Monday, 21st of September, 2020. The resumption will permit the present JS 3 students who are already in an exit class to revise and get adequately prepared for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organized by the Lagos State Examination Board and scheduled between Tuesday, 6th and Monday, 12th of October, 2020.

“Private Primary and Secondary Schools in the State are permitted to resume from Monday, 21st of September, 2020 and the State Government strongly recommends and encourages school owners to put safety first and open in phases similar to the plans for public schools.”

The statement said the scheduled dates and venues for entrance examination into Lagos State Model Colleges will soon be announced by the state examination board.