Schools’ resumption: Lagos plans staggered classes

Opeyemi Adelere

Lagos State Government is considering staggering classes once schools are reopened, according to the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo.

Speaking  at an event  to commemorate Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s   one-year in office in Lagos,  the commissioner said government was looking in the direction of applying the principle of social and physical distancing, among others, so as to curtail the spread of COVID-19, especially in public schools with congested classrooms.

- Advertisement -

The event had in attendance the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs Abosede Adelaja and the Chairman of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Wahab Alawiye-King and other dignitaries.

She said  though, Lagos State was waiting for the  Federal  Government’s directive to reopen schools nationwide, the state government, on its part,  was working on the modalities to adopt to guarantee the safety of students.

- Advertisement -

According to her,   Lagos State government has it as part of its plans to maintain staggered classes for students in order to ensure that effective teaching is carried out in safe environment.

“So, we may not likely have all the students to be in schools every day or to be in class at the same time. By this, we will spread them and yet, that will not stop their learning even at home. We know that many of our classrooms are truly overcrowded and we are working to ensure all precautionary measures including social distancing are in practice in our schools,” she said.

Adefisayo acknowledged the contribution of private schools to the state’s education sector, adding that more private schools would be accredited by government in the next academic session to expand the level of enrollment.