The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday announced that schools would resume on August 4 in the state for final year students in Senior Secondary School 3 private and public schools.
Abiodun also said religious centres would be reopened tentatively on August 14.
Abiodun added that all students in public schools, except those in the exit classes, had been granted automatic promotion to the next class.
He made the announcement while giving COVID – 19 update at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta.
The governor said measures were being put in place to ensure adherence to protocols for preventing the spread of COVID – 19 pandemic in schools, stressing that any private school that failed to meet the guidelines,would not be allowed to reopen.
Abiodun said, “In line with the Federal Government resolutions, exit classes, that is – strictly SS3 only (public or private schools) – will resume classes on Tuesday, 4th of August, 2020. Then, there will be a two-week revision to prepare the students for the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination slated to start on Monday, August 17, 2020.
“There are additional requirement for boarding schools, which the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will communicate to schools with boarding facilities before operating the facilities.
“These measures are also applicable to all private schools operating in Ogun State. As a matter, it should be noted that any school, whether private or public, that fails to comply with these guidelines will not be allowed to reopen.
“Let me also state that, with the exception of students in the exit classes, all students in our schools will enjoy automatic promotion to the next class. The Basic Certificate Examination,National Business and Technical Education Board and Common Entrance Examination into the 33 model schools with boarding facilities will be announced on a later date.”
Meanwhile , the governor, threatened that defaulters of mandatory use of face masks now risk six months jail.
He said “Wearing of face masks in the public is now compulsory. Therefore, I hereby invoke powers conferred on me by Regulation 7 of the Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations No. 2 of 2020 (the Regulations), made pursuant to Section 33 of the Public Health Law of Ogun State (the Law), to mandate the compulsory wearing of face masks by all persons in public as part of measures to prevent the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).”