MIXED reactions have trailed the policy guiding the resumption of primary and secondary school students in Lagos State.
Recall that during the weekend, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, has said that the Ministry was adopting a phased approach to the reopening of public schools in Lagos State in order to enable them to meet COVID-19 physical distance rules and safety protocols.
She explained that the present set of JSS3 and SS2 students in public schools in the State are to resume classes from Monday, September 21, 2020, so as to allow JSS3 students who are already in an exit-class to revise and prepare adequately for their forthcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) organised by the Lagos State Examination Board and scheduled to hold between Tuesday, October 6 and Monday, October 12, 2020.
Regarding the resumption of Private Primary and Secondary Schools in the State, the Commissioner said they are permitted to resume from Monday, September 21, 2020, noting, however, that the State Government strongly implores school owners to institute all necessary safety protocols as well as resume in phases similar to the plans for public schools.
When AlimoshoToday spoke to a woman, who simply identified herself as Mummy Olivia, she said "it is a good thing that the government has asked the children to resume. They have just been staying at home doing nothing and are getting dull. My children attend a private school and the three of them are going back to school."
On safety precautions, she said she is sure the school will adhere to the protocols and on her end, she will ensure the children have facemasks.
A man. who did not disclose his name expressed displeasure on the mode of resumption. The parent, who said his son attends a public school and is in JSS2, said that because of the partial resumption of public schools, it is only JSS3 and SS2 students that would be resuming next Monday.
He said: "My son has been at home all this while.
"Although he listens to LTV for classes, it cannot be compared to going to school and there is not even electricity to watch the TV at home at all times. Now that schools are resuming, only private school children can go to school fully. This is not too nice."
Another parent, Mrs Atinuke Ojo, noted that "even though I am happy that school is resuming, my children are not going to school until the ending of the month. I cannot take chances at all."
