September 12, 2014 – Lagos State Government has thrown its weight behind Federal Government’s (FG) directive for schools across the federation to resume September 22, 2014. This is coming even as teachers have threatened to embark on strike should the FG insist on the date as part of effort to protect themselves from Ebola Virus Disease(EVD) which has killed 7 people in Nigeria.
The decision to stay with the FG on resumption date was conveyed to journalists in a press statement signed by Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Dr. Lateef Raji after an emergency meeting of the Lagos State Executive Council.
” Concerning the resumption of all public and private nursery, primary and secondary schools for the 2014/2015 session, Lagos State Government supports the September 22, 2014 date, which was announced by the Federal Government after a national consultation on efforts to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.
“Although this resumption date is advisory, as education is a concurrent matter to be regulated by the respective federal and states authorities, Lagos State Government considers it eminently justifiable, in view of the fact that there is currently no known carrier of EVD in our state at the moment.”
The state government noted that since the last individual suspected to have been exposed to the virus could be discharged from observation on September 18, 2014, there is no reason why all public and private educational institutions in the state should not resume.
To this end, the government therefore directed to schedule their resumption accordingly.
“Considering the current situation report, it is clear that the risk of infection with EVD in Lagos State has been significantly reduced. Health professionals working on the outbreak are also in agreement that there is no reason why schools should remain closed beyond the 22nd of September, 2014.
“In spite of the foregoing, the State Government has now developed and will deploy all resources necessary to sustain the capacity to promptly take into custody any person suspected to be infected with EVD, as well as safely test, monitor and isolate such a person for treatment as may be found necessary without endangering other members of the public.
“We also acknowledge the need for everyone to remain very vigilant, as the disease still remains in other countries within the sub-region.”
The Lagos state government stipulated that the following steps will be taken in all schools, whether public or private, before and after resumption of schools.
” Training and sensitization of students, vendors, teachers and non-academic staff on EVD and how to avoid it; Identification of EVD Focal Persons in schools who would be responsible for surveillance and health monitoring; Provision of adequate environmental sanitation, including clean toilets and premises; Provision of running water and soap and encouragement of frequent hand washing; sensitisation of students on other personal hygiene habits, like the use of handkerchiefs when sneezing or coughing; and Arrangement for prompt referral of any sick person to the nearest health institution for treatment”, the statement added.
The State Government noted that the health of all its residents is a matter of utmost importance adding that if there is any reason for a reconsideration of the school resumption date, a well-considered decision will be taken and the general public will be informed accordingly.
