The Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mr Benedict Alabi, who doubles as the Chairman, Osun Covid -19 Taskforce, on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of protective materials to public schools, ahead of resumption of students in exit classes on Thursday.
This is part of the measures to sensitize the students against the ravaging coronavirus and flatten the curve of its spread in the state.
The event, which was held at Ataoja High School, Osogbo, the state capital, had critical stakeholders in the education sector around the state in attendance, including heads of 188 public schools in the state.
The Deputy Governor, in his speech enjoined heads of schools to show commitment towards their job and support government to optimally achieve its desired goal of transforming the education sector in the state.
He explained d that there was no government’s policy that directly touches the lives of the people like education and that the government in Osun was totally committed to the educational well-being of the students.
” I am encouraging you to support the government in repositioning the education sector.
” You will agree with me that the height any nation can attain in every developmental agenda is determined by the quality of education available.
The declaration of partial re-opening of schools by the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force for students in exit classes, Osun government also joins other states to open its schools for registered students preparing for 2020 WASSCE, with conscious determination to protect our students in the face of the deadly disease.
” In the light of this , we have abundantly provided COVID-19 protective equipment for public secondary schools. This include Infrared thermometers, buckets with taps, bowls, liquid soaps, hand sanitisers, and facemasks, among others ” Alabi said.
He, therefore advised schools to adhere strictly to the safety measures put in place by the state government, which prohibits large gatherings, regular hand washing, constant use of hand sanitisers and compulsory use of facemasks in public places .
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education in the State, Mr Folorunsho Oladoyin, commended the state government for its proactiveness and prompt response to stop the spread of Covid -19 disease in the state .
Oladoyin praised the Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, and his Deputy for their relentless efforts in ensuring that the necessary protective materials aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly disease were donated to schools .
According to him, the present administration in the state has done well in the fight against the menace and he urged students and teachers alike to jealously safeguard the safety kits.
In the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Jamiu Olawunmi, thanked stakeholders in the education sector for supporting the government. He charged them to educate their students on the impacts of the ravaging coronavirus.
” You are not only teachers to the students. You are also psychologists and psychotherapists to them. Your job now will include managing them professionally to be ready for challenges ahead of them in the face of the pandemic”.
