As directed by the Lagos State Government, Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Lagos resumed for the Third term of the 2015/2016 academic session on Monday, but the resumption was marred by low turnout of pupils.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored the resumption in some schools observed that both public and private schools visited were deserted, while others were completely under lock and key.
Schools visited included Onitolo Grammar School, Surulere; Ransome Kuti Girls High School, Jibowu; Abina Primary School, Surulere; Akitan Grammar School, Surulere and Gbaja Girl High School, Surulere, amongst others.
Some private schools found to be under lock and key included Multi Grace College, Alimosho and Role Model School, Ikosi.
NAN also learnt that some public school pupils were turned back by their school authorities in Mushin, Ijegun and Alagbado areas, due to the current fuel scarcity.
Some parents told NAN that private school managements had, through text messages, informed them of the postponement of the resumption.
The parents said the managements cited the current fuel scarcity as the major reason for the postponement.
Many of the schools have, however, rescheduled their resumption date to April 18 and conveyed the new date to parents through text messages.
“Dear parents, due to the ongoing fuel scarcity, the resumption date is now April 18. Thanks for your cooperation.
“In compliance with government directive, the resumption date has been moved to Monday, April 18,’’ a text message sent to one Mrs Alice Ayorinde, a parent, stated.
Ayorinde told NAN that her children would spend the additional one week at home, as directed by the school management.
“I got a text message from the management of my children’s school that they will not resume today because of fuel scarcity.
“It is good that schools will not resume today because the cost of transportation has skyrocketed by over 100 per cent.
“It will cost me more and be stressful for the children when we are looking for public transport to take them to school,’’ she said.
NAN recalls that the Lagos State Ministry of Education had on April 9 confirmed April 11 as the resumption date for the third term academic session in public schools in the state.
The State Deputy Gov., Dr Idiat Adebule, who also doubles as Commissioner for Education, in a statement had declared that it was necessary to clarify the resumption date “based on recent rumour and insinuations that the resumption date has been postponed’’.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) said that teachers in all public schools in the state had resumed for the term, amidst the fuel crises.
Mr Adesina Adedoyin, the State Deputy Chairman of the union, told NAN that the teachers were ready to resume work, “despite all odds’’.
Adedoyin said that the academic calendar for the session had been provided and that April 11 had been stated as resumption date for the third term.
He added that any shift in the resumption date might affect the academic calendar.
“The position of the teachers is that we are willingly to work.
“As teachers and parents, we are also feeling the effect of the traffic and the fuel crises and understand the pains of other parents.
“Whatever pronouncement made by the government cannot be altered because it would affect the school calendar,’’ he added.