With schools having resumed for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, tells TOBI AWORINDE how the agency, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, is working to ensure schools reopen safely in Lagos State, which is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the countryState schools reopened for SS3 pupils to prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Aside from this, we are also doing a lot in terms of creating awareness on social and digital media, and awareness with the parents. We’ve had a lot of sessions with parents and, the Ministry of Education. We will still continue to promote online learning. We see it as a huge alternative right now, as well as providing clear expectations, in terms of guidelines and regulations, going into living with COVID-19.
Have you been to all the schools to ensure compliance with the provision of hand-washing facilities and others required? Ogun State has come under scrutiny for allegedly conducting COVID-19 tests on pupils. Is Lagos considering that?Have any arrangements been made for adequate and qualified medical staff in all the schools in the state?
Has any survey been done to ascertain the number of pupils taking the exam who have underlying conditions?Face masks and sanitisers are a staple for prevention of COVID-19. Is the government making any provision for exam candidates, school staff members and external invigilators?