Lagos reopens Chrisland schools as students resume on Monday, April 25

Abiodun OBA

The Lagos State government has directed that all Chrisland Schools in Lagos State shut down for alleged sexual misconduct of some students of the school in Dubai, who went for sports events, be reopened from Monday, April 25.

All primary and secondary school students in the state are expected to resume after the Easter holiday for the third term of the 2021/2022 academic calendar on the same day.

However, the directive to reopen Chrisland schools follows a review of the ongoing administrative investigation into the incident that attracted wide outcry and reactions.

The State Commissioner of Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, who ordered the reopening according to a statement made available on Saturday by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the ministry, Mr Ganiu Lawal, said the reopening is to ensure that students are not denied access to learning when their mates begin new term begins on Monday, April 25.

Meanwhile, the state government shut the schools for the safety of students and the staff and to ensure an unhindered investigation of the incident.

The commissioner said, “The Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies of the State, in conjunction with the school’s Parent Teachers Association, will be working on scheduled psychosocial support for the students.

“An extensive assessment of the school’s procedure, especially on external trips and excursions, is being made to identify safety gaps and prevent such incidents.

“Besides, the ministry will launch the reviewed guidelines/protocols governing private and public schools across the state within the next one month.”

In a related development, the Director of the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the state, Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, said all school owners and administrators are expected to follow safety protocols and child protection guidelines while students shun all forms of bad behaviours as the new term begins.

She added that the students and school workers are equally expected to observe public holidays including the Sallah and May Workers’ Day events coming up a few days after the resumption.