Ondo reopens schools for conduct of SSCE 

The Ondo State government has declared open secondary schools in the state to allow the conduct of Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).

In a letter dated July 31, 2020, the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology declared Tuesday, August 4, 2020 as the resumption date for Senior Secondary Schools class three (SS3) only to allow them write the Senior School Certificate Examinations.

According to the letter entitled “Reopening of All Public and Private Secondary Schools In Ondo State For Conduct Of Senior School Certificate Examinations,” the WAEC SSCE examinations would hold between August 17, 2020 and September 18, 2020, while NECO SSCE would hold between October 5, 2020 and November 18, 2020.

The Ministry gave all conditions for the reopening of all the schools including fumigation of all their facilities at least a week before the resumption.

The letter stated that “As a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic among the students, schools are to open from 8:00am to 2:00pm, Mondays to Fridays; disinfection and fumigation of all facilities must be carried out at least a week before resumption; hand washing spot(s) should be provided, to guarantee regular washing of hands by learners and teachers.”

Proprietors and proprietress of all private schools in the state were served the letter so they could prepare for the resumption date, adhering strictly to all the conditions reeled out by the state Ministry.

Some of the proprietors, who spoke to newsmen on the new development, disclosed that they have been disinfecting and fumigating all their facilities even before the state government pronounced the reopening of schools.

They revealed that they have procured infrared thermometers, buckets with tap, sanitizers and all necessary items recommended by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to one of the proprietors, Mr. Sunday Oladimeji, most schools have created WhatsApp groups on which school authorities communicate with parents.

He said: “All SS3 students have been informed to wear their face mask and it has been stated as one of the conditions on which they would be allowed entry into the school premises.

“The sitting arrangement has been done in adherence to NCDC recommendation to allow social distancing. We have procured infrared thermometers, buckets with taps, sanitizers and other items recommended by NCDC.

“The safety of our students is paramount and we cannot toy with that. That’s why we are going to educate our students on the COVID-19 pandemic when they resume.”

Source: Today

TEAM PLATO REPORTS