Schools in Lagos State to reopen January 18

Etim Ekpimah

Lagos State Government has asked all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state to reopen for 2020/2021 second term of the academic session from Monday, January 18, 2021.

Speaking on Monday, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, noted that the arrangement was in accord with the Federal Government’s directive irrespective of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to her, all schools should make efforts to comply with all the outlined COVID-19 requirements for the schools’ resumption.

She said: “Not just for the improvement of overall school operations but for the safe reopening of academic activities to support the Lagos State Government’s quest for a full return.”

She urged that schools should have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick can teach or learn from home via available online platforms, adding that schools should also strive to avoid any COVID-19 infection among all students and staff.

Adefisayo, however, asked teachers, students, and visitors to wear facemasks at all times, observe physical distancing, embrace regular hand washing with soap under running water and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene within the school premises.

On Sunday, Adefisayo had announced that schools below tertiary level in Lagos State remained shut indefinitely.