Low turnout hits Lagos private schools as new session begins

LAGOS - Many students of private primary and secondary schools in Lagos on Monday reported to start a new academic session in spite of resumption postponement. The state Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday announced Oct. 8 as the new resumption date. Fashola made the announcement at an interactive session with head teachers and principals of public primary and secondary schools, in Ikeja. The governor had before then directed all schools in the state to resume on Sept. 22 as announced by the Federal Government. However, following a strike threat by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Fashola called for the interaction. He directed teachers to be going to school from Sept. 22 to prepare for resumption of academic activities on Oct.8. Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who monitored developments in schools in the state, report that few pupils reported at many private schools. In all the schools visited, academic activities did not take place. Private school proprietors said that parents were confused about the resumption. Mrs Gladys Grimmes, Proprietress of St. Gladys and Grimmes Educational Services, Alagbado, said that most parents were confused after the latest announcement on the resumption. Grimmes said that the poor turnout was not as a result of fear of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) since preventive measures had been adequately provided for pupils and teachers in the school. NAN reports that equipment such as infrared thermometer, dispensable sanitisers, potable water and basins for hand washing were provided by the school for every class. At the Living Christ Schools, Community Road, Alagbado, few pupils also reported for classes. The Head Teacher, Miss Abiola Olaoye, also claimed that parents were confused. Olaoye said that the school had taken preventive measures such as procurement of infrared thermometers to monitor pupils’ temperature and that of their teachers. At the Lagooz Group of Schools, Mulero Estate, Iyana-Ipaja, Ferscoat International School and Comprehensive Academy, also in Ipaja area, measures were put in place to curtail diseases. Mrs Felicia Ejisu, Head Teacher of Divine Penniel Schools, Nureni Akintola Crescent, Alagbado, said the school was ready for resumption but most parents did not release their children following the change in resumption date. Ejisu said that preventive measures against EVD had been put in place by the school. However, some schools visited by NAN correspondents did not put in place any measure to contain diseases. NAN also observed poor sanitation in some of the schools. The schools include some of those where candidates are writing the November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (private). Meanwhile, the National Association of Proprietors of Private schools (NAPPs), Lagos State Chapter, has called on schools yet to put in place the necessary measures to do so before Oct. 8. The NAPPS Chairman, Chief Yomi Otubela, told NAN that the extension of the resumption date should enable all schools to be prepared. He said that members of the association had put in place the measures. Some proprietors and head teachers of private and public schools in Ipaja Area of Lagos told NAN that necessary measures would be put in place before Oct.8. Mr Muraina Lukman, Head Teacher, Local Government Primary School, Oke-Isagun, Ipaja, said that the school was still awaiting delivery of the materials from the state government. Lukman said that the school’s representatives had already received training on the containment of the EVD and others diseases, from the state government. ``I will go to the district area office to confirm if the materials have arrived so that I can collect ours,’’ he said. Lukman said the school had a functional borehole to ensure adequate and regular water supply. At Rozban Children Foundation Schools, Fatolu, Ipaja, the proprietress, Mrs R.I. Kumoye, said all preventive materials against the spread of Ebola were in place. Kumoye said the school had complied with all the directives given by the government on Ebola containment. [eap_ad_1] A security guard at the entrance wore hand gloves and was using infrared thermometer to check temperature of visitors before allowing them in. At the Estate Junior and Senior Grammar School, Command Road, Ipaja, a teacher said: ``We are expecting the preventive materials from the state government but we have a functional borehole and keep a clean environment. NAN reports that there were no activities at all public schools visited by its correspondents. No student was seen at the Ogba Primary School in Ikeja, Babs Fafunwa Millennium Secondary School, Ojodu, and Ojota Senior Secondary School, among many other schools. Officials of the schools told NAN that they were not expecting students until Oct. 8. One of them told NAN that he came prepare for resumption of academic activities. ``As you can see, there are no students yet in the premises; I do not expect them to resume yet.’’ At the Ojota Senior Secondary School, teachers gathered in small groups discussing, while cleaners carried out their jobs.(NAN) [eap_ad_4]

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