The Governor of Ogun State,
Prince Dapo Abiodun appears to have bowed to pressure as he stopped the payment
of N25,000 by students of private boarding schools for COVID-19 and malaria
tests.
Abiodun came under heavy
criticisms parents of SS3 students in private boarding schools were made to
realize on Sunday that they must pay a sum of N25,000 to get their children
tested.
Making a u-turn on Monday
evening, the governor said, “After reviewing these developments, I have today
immediately directed that the government laboratories carry out test for all
returning SS3 boarding students at no cost.
“I have also directed that all
those who have paid for tests be refunded.”
A statement personally signed by
Gov Abiodun reads:
“In line with the Federal
Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open
our schools on the 4th August 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place
guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.
“In our pre-opening engagements
with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one
of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all
over the Country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded
that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk
of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the
safety of everybody concerned.
“The State planned and provided
testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and
allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their
arrangements to get COVID-19 tests. The two Ogun State-run laboratories have a
capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts
or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number
of boarding students, the statement from the Ogun State Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling
points in some of our Health facilities.
“These private laboratories have
been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge
N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education
negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may
wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the State Government.
“After reviewing these
developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government
Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost.
I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.
“The health of our children
remains our utmost priority, however in view of the total number of boarding
students to be tested (5,340 private and 500 public), and bearing in mind the
limitation of our installed testing capacity of 500 tests per day, it may not
be feasible for all boarding students to get tested and get their results prior
to resumption or even exams which commence on 17th August 2020.
“Consequently the State
Government has, therefore, stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory
requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We, therefore, enjoin
Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The
admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be
at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA)
of such private schools.
“Ogun State Government recommends
that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend
school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.
“I have also directed the
provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.
“The inconvenience and confusion
experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the
parents and students so affected.
“The quality and standard of
education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my
heart.
“I appreciate the cooperation,
support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards
flattening the curve of COVID-19 in Ogun State. It is my prayer that this phase
will end soonest.”
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