The Lagos State Government Sunday has announced dates for resumption of schools for the academic session in the state.

The commissioner for education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo disclosed that the State is adopting a phased approach to the reopening of public schools in order to enable it meet COVID-19 physical distance rules and safety protocols for students and teachers.

According to her, the present Junior Secondary (JS3) and Senior Secondary (SS3) will resume classes from Monday, September 21, 2020 so as to allow JS3 students who are already in their exit-class revise and prepare adequately for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the Lagos State Examination Board which is scheduled to hold between Tuesday, 6thOctober and Monday, 12th October 2020.

Meanwhile, resumption for SS3 is an opportunity for the students to prepare effectively for their transition into SS3.

She stated that the scheduled dates and venues for their Entrance Examination into Lagos State Model Colleges will soon be announced by the State Examination Board.

She assured parents that announcements of gradual reopening of schools is a measure of ensuring safety in the state adding that students belonging to the yet-to-resume classes in public schools will continue their lessons on the various distance learning platforms created by the State Government.

Also, she disclosed that Private Primary and Secondary Schools in the State are permitted to resume from Monday, September 21, 2020.

Adefisayo stressed that school owners should institute all necessary safety protocols and resumption in phases replica to that of public schools.

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

“Schools must also comply with safety protocols and hygiene guidelines as instructed by the State Government, through the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), which will also continue to monitor and evaluate Schools’ preparedness,” she said.

Pre-primary classes according to her in both public and private schools will remain closed until further announcements are made and reiterated that the pandemic still exists, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the safety of the children, teachers and parents as well as the whole community.