Osun: Schools resume on Monday, January 18, govt clarifies

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

The government of the State of Osun has directed schools across the state to reopen on Monday, January 18 for the continuation of the first term of the 2020/21 academic calendar.

It has also announced its reinforcement of the already established capacities to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols.

During a briefing on Saturday, on OSBC 104.5FM, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Hon. Jamiu Olawumi said the government was set to receive learners as preparations were in top gear to reopen basic education facilities to pupils and students on Monday.

Olawunmi said aside from the initial COVID-19 safety materials that were initially given to schools at the beginning of the term, the State’s Ministry of Education had made provisions to augment the materials (where necessary) to ensure the safety of students and teachers across the State.

According to him: “The challenge faced by the government in enforcing compliance among the generality of the masses has proven easier in specialized communities like schools, where instructions are to be obeyed. This is unlike the disposition of people in marketplaces who have not been abiding by the protocols.

“We have engaged our teachers on the need to enforce responsibilities and ensure that parents too key into the government’s philosophy of responsible parenting, not only to improve on their wards’ academic performance but to also promote healthy living of their children and wards.

“On the part of the government, arrangements have been made to augment the COVID-19 prevention materials that were earlier supplied to schools. The supplies will be made to the necessary locations with effect from Monday, immediately schools reopen,” Olawunmi stated.