In Lagos State, the government has maintained that all private and public schools remain closed in its bid to protect pupils from the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first detected in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide, causing fear and uncertainty among humans. The disease was tagged a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11.
In Nigeria, schools, just like businesses and religious centers, were shut since March 19, giving the authorities opportunities to adopt alternative modes of learning for students at all levels.
The shutdown has been most felt by private school owners who struggle to pay salaries of teachers who like their students have been forced to stay at home.
The Babjide Sanwo-Olu Government said rather than reopening schools and endangering the lives of students, efforts will be intensified on the ongoing free teachings on various media, especially radio and television.
The State Commissioner for education, Folasade Adefisayo, who relayed the government’s stance on the reopening of schools for the third-term academic session, urged proprietors aiming to commence academic session for third-term amid the coronavirus outbreak to abandon the plans.
While assuring that the state government will continue to improve its distance learning programmes, Adefisayo expressed satisfaction that students across private and public schools are taking advantage of the free service.
According to the NCDC, there are 6,677 cases of COVID19 in Nigeria, 1840 have been Discharged and 200 Deaths have been recorded.
Apart from the health crises caused by this disease, it has also led to lockdowns and travel restrictions declared by governments to contain its spread. As the virus continues to ravage the world, businesses have down and people are losing jobs as employers struggle to pay their workers which includes some teachers in Private schools, that have not earned salaries for about 2 months.
QUESTION
Should the Lagos State Government reopen schools? What will you suggest to the Lagos state government as the best option for Schools that have been on lockdown and how can the children be kept safe from contracting the virus?
Drop your thoughts in the comment section below.
