Schools to Resume in Lagos on Monday, Worship Centres Restrictions Eased

The Lagos State Government on Saturday said schools in the state will resume on Monday while the restrictions on worship centres were further eased to allow full services, including daily prayers in mosques and midweek services in churches.

The state also said public and private schools are approved to resume from September 21, 2020. However, only Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 2 pupils in public schools would resume for physical classes.

Schools, Worship centres and Businesses were closed about six months ago to curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect Nigerians before the gradual easing of restrictions commenced a few months ago to cushion the negative effect of COVID-19 on the economy even though there is no cure yet.

According to a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that the resumption would allow the JSS 3 pupils to prepare for Basic Education Certificate Examination scheduled for October 12, 2020. While the governor urged those in SSS 2 to use the period to prepare for their transitional exams to SSS 3.

The governor said, “As regards our places of worship, we are now also permitting the mosques to resume their five times a day prayers; and in the case of churches, they are now also permitted to resume their midweek services. We must not forget that the coronavirus pandemic is still very much with us, and we must therefore strive to prioritise the safety of all our children, teachers, parents, and the entire society.”

“It has become necessary to issue clarifications regarding the resumption of schools, in order to clear any confusion that may have arisen since the resumption date was announced. Public Schools will adopt a phased protocol for resumption of physical classes. Students in JSS 3 and SSS 2 in public schools in Lagos are to resume physical classes from September 21.

“In the same vein, all private primary and secondary schools are permitted to resume from September 21. We have strongly advised school owners and managers to put safety first and open in phases similar to the announced schedule for public schools.

“School owners and managers are advised to seriously consider implementing a staggered daily resumption schedule, classes on alternate days during the week, and utilisation of distance learning methods as a complement to physical classes. All pre-primary–nursery, daycare and kindergarten–classes and schools in both public and private schools must remain closed.

“For all other public school classes in primary school and JSS 1, JSS 2, and SSS 1, announcements for resumption will be made as soon as the state government is satisfied that all necessary resumption protocols have been put in place.”