Lagos Schools’ Resumption: NANS Seeks Student-Friendly Policies

As tertiary schools are set to reopen in Lagos State, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged management of the schools to put in place  student-friendly policies to cushion the effects of theCOVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Olawale Kappo, South West Coordinator of NANS,  and Mr Rasheed Ogunsanya, Chairman, NANS Joint Campus Committee, Lagos Chapter, gave the advice in interviews with newsmen, yesterday, in Lagos.
They reacted to announcement of school resumption in Lagos State by the  state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Sanwo-Olu had   during the 17th  update on the management of   Coronavirus Pandemic in Lagos State last Saturday, said that tertiary schools would reopen on September 14 while primary and secondary schools might resume on September 21.
Kappo, who hailed the state government for the decision as well as efforts to tackle COVID-19, said  that NANS would not expect any anti-students policies from managements of the institutions.
”We want vice-chancellors, rectors, provosts to key into reformation and remediation agenda of the state and NANS in  post COVID-19 era.
”We expect that students yet to complete their semester examinations  should be given enough time to revise before sitting for the examinations.
“Tuition fees should be paid with  ease or be free, if possible, because most  parents are struggling financially due to the pandemic.
“We are delighted at the decision of  the governor, as it shows that education remains a priority in Lagos State.
“Governors of other states in South West should emulate Lagos State,” he said.
He said that many students had engaged in enterpreneural activities due to the long ‘ holiday’ occasioned by the novel coronavirus disease.
“ A large percentage of us has given up on resuming this year which is the reason they engaged in entrepreneurial activities to reduce idleness.
“The decision to reopen schools may mean a pause in activities which they started during the lockdown but I believe we all received the news of school resumption with delight,” he said.
Commenting, Ogunsanya also commended Lagos State Government and education stakeholders for efforts toward reopening of schools.