September 22 resumption date for all public and private nursery,
primary and secondary schools in the state as announced by the Federal
Government.
The Federal Government had said that the date was agreed on after a
national consultation on efforts to contain the Ebola Virus Disease
(EVD) in Nigeria.
A statementby the Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on
Information and Strategy, Lateef Raji, said that although the
resumption date was advisory, as education had remained a concurrent
matter to be regulated by the respective Federal and States
Authorities, Lagos State Government considered it eminently
justifiable.
The State government said its decision was in view of the fact that
there was currently no known carrier of EVD in the State at the
moment.
"Furthermore, the last individual suspected to have been exposed to
the virus will be discharged from observation on September 18, 2014,
if he tests negative for the virus. All public and private educational
institutions in the State are therefore directed to schedule their
resumption accordingly.
"Considering the current situation report, it is clear that the risk
of infection with EVD in Lagos State has been significantly reduced.
Health professionals working on the outbreak are also in agreement
that there is no reason why schools should remain closed beyond the
22nd of September, 2014.
"In spite of the foregoing, the State Government has now developed and
will deploy all resources necessary to sustain the capacity to
promptly take into custody any person suspected to be infected with
EVD, as well as safely test, monitor and isolate such a person for
treatment as may be found necessary without endangering other members
of the public," the statement read.
Remain Very Vigilant
The State government further acknowledged the need for all Nigerians
to remain very vigilant, as the disease is still in other countries
within West Africa.
Some steps that should be taken in some schools, whether public or
private, before and after resumption, as stated by the State
government include; training and sensitisation of students, vendors,
teachers and non academic staff on EVD and how to avoid it;
identification of EVD Focal Persons in schools who would be
responsible for surveillance and health monitoring; provision of
adequate environmental sanitation, including clean toilets and
premises and provision of running water and soap and encouragement of
frequent hand washing.
Other important steps listed were sensitisation of students on other
personal hygiene habits, like the use of handkerchiefs when sneezing
or coughing and arrangement for prompt referral of any sick person to
the nearest health institution for treatment.
The State government further reiterated that the health of all
residents was a matter of utmost importance, stressing that if any
reasons emerge for a reconsideration of the school resumption date, a
well-considered decision would be taken and the general public will be
informed accordingly.
In the statement, health workers were commended for their efforts in
ensuring the containment of EVD.
Health institutions, which might have suffered adverse economic
consequences as a result of the epidemic that has claimed seven lives
in Nigeria, were assured of the State government's plan to assist them
to mitigate their loses and safely reopen for business as soon as
possible.
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