The purported decision reached with an unnamed Commissioner for Basic Education regarding a new set of guidelines for resumption of schools in Lagos State, making the rounds on social media, has been debunked by the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
In a release, issued by the Head, Public Affairs Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Kayode Abayomi, while refuting the claim that such a decision has been reached, insisted that the write-up did not emanate from the state Ministry of Education and should be disregarded.
Pointinf out that there is no designation as “Honourable Commissioner for Basic Education” in the ministry as contained in the viral post, Abayomi stressed that the issue of new guidelines for post-COVID-19 lockdown resumption is already under review by the state government and will be circulated after conclusion.
Abayomi maintained that no school in Lagos State is permitted to resume or re-open for the third term of the current session till further directive to the contrary is issued by the state government, despite the announcements on the gradual easing of existing lockdown in Lagos State and the re-opening of all government offices and establishments from Monday, May 4, 2020.
He also clarified that the recent circular that emanated from the office of the Lagos State Head of Service, HoS, where all officers on Grade Level 13 and above are to resume duty, is also applicable to teachers in all public schools subject to the Education Districts’ Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary’s Flexible Work Rosters for Officers.
Denying another media report alleging that the state government has banned private schools from online teaching, Abayomi asserted that the present administration is not against the online teaching initiative adopted by most private schools in the state, adding however that the internet-based teaching and learning does not imply a resumption of the third term session.
He reiterated that the Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Education, will still continue to offer free educational services for school children via various media platforms, especially radio and television.
