Maximum Compliance As Schools Resume In Osun

By Solomon Odeniyi & Sodiq Yusuf

There was maximum compliance with the guidelines set up by the State Government of Osun on the reopening of schools for students in exit classes by management and staff of both public and private schools.

OSUN DEFENDER visited some schools across the state yesterday to monitor the level of adherence to COVID-19 safety rules, which are the major guidelines for the schools’ resumption.

The medium noted that hand wash basins, liquid soap and hand sanitisers were provided at the entrance of each of the schools, while infrared thermometer was in use to check the temperature of each student, teacher and other people coming into the schools.

Maximum of 20 students were seated in a classroom. Each of the students was wearing a face mask while they kept physical distancing from one-another.

At the Osogbo Government High School, two teachers were assigned to a class. One of the teachers was teaching while the other was observing the students to ensure that they did not deviate from the guidelines.

The Principals of the school, Mrs. Folajogun Daodu and Mrs. Oluyinka Ajadi said both staff and students of the school were satisfactorily complying with the guidelines.

They maintained that the school has enough facilities to ensure continuous adherence to the guidelines for the safety of both teachers and students.

The Commissioner for Education in the state, Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin, who was on inspection of schools, said there was maximum compliance with the guidelines in all the schools he had visited.

Oladoyin, stated that the Osogbo Government High School was the best in terms of compliance with the guidelines.

He submitted that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is committed to promotion of functional education, providing good welfare packages for teachers and ensuring that there is conducive learning environment for the students.

At the Olive Branches Schools, Osogbo, 18 students preparing for the West African Examinations were found seated in a class.

Two female staff members were at the school gate to effect the washing of hands by the students and as well check their body temperature.

The Proprietor of the school, Mr. Goke Omigbodun, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER, said he had ensured that there was strict compliance with the guidelines.

The turnout was on the average at Adedayo Karim group of schools, Osogbo. Of 75 students registered for the WAEC final exams, about 30 resumed yesterday.

Alhaji Akinola Ademola, the Principal of the school, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER, attributed this low turnout to the skeptic nature of some parents.

Ademola said some parents were skeptical about the safety of their children in school under present circumstances, saying that he was doing all he could to persuade them.

He said: “Of 75 students, 30 came to school. Some parents still don’t just want to release their wards. We have sent SMS to the parents and we have assured them of their children’s safety.

“We fumigated the school on 3rd of August, we have the infrared thermometer, washing tap and hand wash basin and in the classes we are observing physical distancing.  We hope the students, with what we have experienced today, will be able to convince their friends.”

However, At Ataoja Government High School, 20 students were put in a class in compliance with the Coronavirus pandemic guidelines.

There was 75 per cent attendance of students in the school.

Mr. Oyebanji Akinloye, the Principal of the school, said over 400 students registered for WAEC and no fewer than 300 were present in school.

The state government had last week rolled out guidelines for the reopening of schools in the state.

In the guidelines, “Parents are expected to provide face masks/nose covers for their children or wards, while principals and proprietors of schools are expected to ensure a tidy environment with desks arranged at least two metres apart. This social distancing shall be ensured by class wardens.

“The Ministry of Education shall provide buckets, soap, hand sanitizers, thermometer and also fumigate all schools. The Ministry of Health shall also provide Vitamin C tablets for students. NCDC or the Ministry of Health should be alerted in case of any signs of infection in any of the schools.”