Knocks, kudos as Lagos shifts schools’ resumption over Ebola

MIXED reactions have continued to trail the sudden shift in the resumption date for schools in Lagos State from Monday, September 22 to Wednesday, October 8. More parents have expressed their support for the state government for putting the safety of children first.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State had, at an interactive session with principals, vice-principals, head teachers and teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state, on Sunday, September 21, directed that all learning and teaching activities for the next academic session in Lagos be suspended until October 8.

According to the Governor, “though schools are to re-open on September 22, but it would be for the purpose of distributing and supplying of preventive materials and to allow schools’ managements to tie up loose ends in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD.

“These two weeks would be ‘getting-ready weeks’ for teachers and administrators and to allow for more time to further put in place all necessary precautionary measures against EVD in Lagos State schools.”

For
Those in support of the postponement argue that more time was, indeed, needed to ensure that students are safe and well, rather than sick or dead. The few who oppose the development stress that further shift could be more suicidal than the Ebola virus itself.

Leading the pack of supporters is Mrs. Ifeoma Ekawhare, who said: “I support government’s directive because children are better off at home than dead with Ebola. The shift is not permanent but to allow the appropriate authorities do all that needs to be done to keep our children safe at schools.”

In agreement is Ms. Ifreke Brendan, who said the shift shows that government cares for the students in the state.

She said: “It is not a bad idea and it shows that government cares about our children. Even if schools had opened today (September 22), I wouldn’t have allowed my child go to school because it is much easier to control who your child comes in contact with at home than in school where the teachers can’t supervise as effectively as parents because of the population of students per class.”

Outbreak of the virus
Pointing out that the shift speaks well of the government, Mrs. Chika Ofor said: “I am behind government’s decision because issues like this are not to be rushed.

“We all agree that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of our children in their various schools and we, parents, need to give government more time to put necessary measures in place to prevent the outbreak of the virus.”

Stressing that each state government should consider its status before reopening its schools, a mother, who simply gave her name as Mummy Favour, said schools should be opened when all preventive measures have been put in place and not when the Federal Government directs.

She said: “Peculiar states like Lagos and Rivers need to apply more caution than others, hence the need for more time. Government is doing what is best for everyone, especially the children because if schools resume and we record another outbreak, it is the same people who condemned government for the extension that would still blame government for being in a haste to reopen schools.”

… against
Despite the sigh of relief from many stakeholders who were not comfortable with the September 22 resumption date, a few still do not support the prolonged holiday, saying most schools, especially private ones, have put in place measures aimed at ensuring the safety of their students and teachers.

One of such persons is Mr. Adekunle Ajibodu, who said: “Any further attempt to elongate the long holidays will be more suicidal than the spread of Ebola virus itself. This is because, while the spread of the virus can be curtailed and controlled, illiteracy that can be produced due to long holidays will remain very venomous and permanent.”

Seething with anger is Mrs. Chimdi Obi, who had to go and take her son from the boarding house, said the further extension was unnecessary as the virus can be contracted in churches, mosques, schools or anywhere.

Said she: “My son and I were really excited about him going back to school and adequate preparations for his return to school had been made. I was on my way home from dropping him off at the boarding house when his guardian called me to come take him back because government has shifted the resumption date.”

“This shift is unnecessary because the kids are tired of staying at home and parents are running out of ideas to keep them busy. Besides, after having said the state is free of Ebola, government seems to be contradicting itself by extending resumption date.”

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