Osun Warns Private Schools Over Illegal Reopening

The Osun State Government has alleged that some private schools in the state are planning to reopen fully once the partial reopening for examinations of exiting students takes effect next week. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Funke Egbemode, the state government threatened private schools found wanton with “the full force of the law.

Recall that on Monday, 27th July 2020, the federal government took what seemed like the final decision on the fate of students in terminal classes as it relates to their examinations. At the meeting attended by the two Ministers of Education, 36 State Commissioners for Education, Teachers’ Union Representative and other stakeholders. It was resolved that the students be allowed to resume on Tuesday, 4th August 2020 nationwide, so they can prepare adequately for their examinations. Thereafter, Osun government announced that Teachers in the state will resume on Tuesday 4th August while their students join them on Thursday 6th August 2020.

The full statement of the commissioner is reproduced below:

Public Service Announcement

1. The State Government of Osun has it on good authority that some private schools are planning to reopen under the cover of the partial reopening of schools to students in exit classes for the purpose of writing the West African Senior Secondary…
2. …Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Doing this would be illegal, an infraction and a flagrant disregard for the guidelines of both the State and Federal Government. The Federal Government has approved neither the reopening of all schools nor the resumption of all students.
3. The partial reopening applies only to schools that have registered for WASSCE, and students in SS3 classes who will be sitting for the exams beginning from August 17. By implication, only 188 schools and 13,177 students that have been duly registered for WASSCE in the State of…
4. …Osun is licensed by the State and Federal Government’s guidelines. Any private school not registered for WASSCE found operating under the cover of the partial reopening, will face the full force of the law.

Signed: Funke Egbemode
Commissioner for Information & Civic Orientation