The Edo State Government on Friday said it has not authorised the reopening of schools for third term academic activities, warning that the government will impose sanctions on schools that flout the directive.
In a statement, Commissioner for Education, Jimoh Ijegbai, said the state government did not authorise the reopening of schools whether public or private, including certificate classes.
“It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that some schools in Edo State have reopened and some are planning to reopen for the 3rd term academic session,” Ijegbai said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the state government has not authorised schools whether public or private, even the certificate classes to reopen under the present circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A date of resumption will be communicated to all stakeholders after modalities have been put in place to ensure the safety of our children and wards.”
The commissioner urged school proprietors to be guided by the state government’s directive, warning that adequate sanctions will be meted out on any school that flouts the directive.
Meanwhile, teachers in Edo State, under the aegis of Concerned Edo Teachers, have thrown their weight behind the second term aspiration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, on account of his sterling performance in the education sector.
In a statement, the teachers said the governor’s people-oriented policies and reforms in the sector have restored dignity to the teaching profession and greatly improved how the children in the state are learning in school.
The statement was jointly signed by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Bright Osahon, and other members, including Nosakhare Martins, Comr. Erhahon Nosa, Comr. Okougha Samuel and Iyamu Victor.
The teachers noted: “As a crucial sector in the growth and sustainability of the development of Edo State, we, concerned Edo teachers, would like to use this medium to take a stand in the support of our dear Governor, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki. We are certain of our support of him because of what we have seen him do for the education sector while in office.
“We can start by sharing the numbers of lives that his transformative plan for education has touched, but as we will share, what he has done goes beyond numbers. He has restored dignity to the teaching profession and greatly improved how our children are learning in school! To date, over 11, 000 teachers and head teachers have been trained. This is an incredible figure. This training itself is uncommon because it was for two weeks.”
The group, while urging the Edo people to support Obaseki’s reelection bid to enable the governor consolidate on his ongoing reforms and programmes in the education sector, added: “We implore all Edo people who care about our children and the future of our state to stand by our champion, a shining light in Edo State and a global torchbearer, Governor Obaseki.”
