Ogun state government, Monday, announce September, 21 for the reopening of schools in the state.
This is coming five months after schools were shut down in the state as part of efforts to flatten the curve of COVID-19.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin, to governor Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta, disclosed the reopening of schools is extended to all classes in primary and secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Colleges, and Tertiary Institutions.
The governor warned school administrators to strictly adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines which included: provision of sick bays/isolation rooms in schools, training and designation of some teachers as first line responders and provision of face masks and infrared thermometers.
Other guideline are: provision of adequate hand washing facilities and alcohol-based sanitisers for students and teachers in all schools; disinfectation of the schools and suspension of general assembly.
The governor had earlier announced automatic promotion of students to the next class.
He also directed that primary six students in public primary schools should be automatically placed into JSS1 of public secondary school.
The statement reads, “However, as part of the efforts to meet the COVID-19 guidelines for school operations, the schools hours are staggered as follows for public schools. “Primary 1 to primary 3 – 8.00am to 11.00am, Primary 4 to Primary 6 – 12.00noon to 3.00pm, JSS 1 to JSS3 – 8.00am to 11.00am, SS1 to SS3 – 12.00noon to 3.00pm.
“Technical and Vocational will operate their normal school hours of 8.00am to 2.00pm Early Child Care Development and Education classes i.e 3-5 years of age will not be resuming in public schools until the next phase of schools’ reopening.
“Private schools are also expected to take necessary measures to meet the COVID-19 protocols for physical distancing, among other requirements.
“Tertiary institutions are allowed to commence reopening from 21 September, 2020 as may be determined by their respective management”, the statement added.
The governor, however said, primary 6 students desirous of placement into the state-owned boarding schools would sit for the common entrance examination on Saturday, September 12, adding that the hitherto JSS3 students who had now been promoted to SS1 would write their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in October, 2020.
“Our approach to COVID-19 pandemic management has been deliberate, focused, inclusive and carefully balanced between life and livelihood and this has manifested in the steps we have adopted to the reopening of schools, ensuring safety of our children whilst minimising disruption in their education.
“The guidelines are applicable to all schools in the state whether private or public. I enjoin our students to take full benefits of the reopening of the schools for their education advancement and wish them a very fulfilling 2020/2021 academic year,” the governor added.
