The Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), has condemned the action of Private Primary and Secondary School owners inviting students to school, despite the government’s directives to close schools.

A statement issued today by the Office of the Director-General, OEQA, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, warned owners and administrators of such schools to desist from reopening under whatever guise, noting that any school caught flouting the directive of the Federal and State governments on closure will be heavily sanctioned.

To ensure compliance, she said the Office Monitoring and Investigation team will embark on compliance monitoring exercises across the State to ensure schools adhere strictly to the safety directives issued by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Director-General affirmed that the safety of all children, teachers and the general public is a priority, saying that the government has observed the high compliance of schools except for few that indulge in the illegal opening without concern for the health and safety of their pupils.

While imploring such schools to stop the trend that could jeopardise the health and future of innocent children, Seriki-Ayeni said the general public will be notified when it is right and safe for students to return to school.

She, therefore, solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders in curbing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the State and enjoined anyone with information on such recalcitrant schools to contact the Office through its official emails: info@oeqalagos.com or report@oeqalagos.com.

Recall that the Federal and State Governments ordered the closure of schools across the country to curtail exposure and the spread of Coronavirus disease among students because of their vulnerability and the inability to observe physical distancing.