Lagos Opposes Online Resumption, Warns Private Schools

Following the move by some private schools to resume third term academic activities, the Lagos State Ministry of Education has warned schools in the state to withdraw the idea until the lockdown period is over.

While disclosing this in a statement on Thursday 23 April, 2020, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said all private and public schools in the state would remain closed to protect pupils from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adefisayo noted that the state government would intensify efforts to improve and sustain the ongoing free teachings on various media, especially radio and television, rather than reopening schools and endangering the lives of pupils.

She appealed to proprietors planning to commence academic session for third-term amid the COVID-19 outbreak to abandon the plans.

“The attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Education has been drawn to the plans by some private schools in the state to resume academic activities for the third term of the 2019/20 session by online teaching, effective from Monday, April 27, 2020.

“The Ministry wishes to state categorically that all schools in Lagos State remain closed and have not yet been opened for the third term. The state continues to offer free teachings on various media, especially radio and television,” she said.

“Plans are also underway to ensure that our children in public schools are able to complete their term whenever the lockdown is lifted,” she added.

Meanwhile, Adefisayo asked school owners to continue with the virtual teaching to keep their students busy during the lockdown period.