By Kemi Olatunde

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Ondo State Government has said that it has suspended the closure of schools for now as there have been improvement in the observation of COVID-19 protocols.
It would be recalled that the government last week warned schools’ management against lackadaisical attitude towards observation of COVID-19 rules.
Acting Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye stated this while speaking briefly after an inspection visit to schools in Akure, the state capital by the State Inter ministerial Committee on COVID-19.
According to him, government is impressed with the high level of compliance to the protocol and added that it should be maintained to prevent outbreak of the virus in schools.
Describing overcrowding as a major challenge of most schools, he explained that it is important that subjects’ periods are adjusted in order to reduce the number of students available for learning.
Speaking further, he noted that schools must not allow break of more than 10 minutes and added that morning assembly remains suspended.
He called on management of schools to continue to educate students on the need to avoid sharing food items, face masks and writing materials among themselves and added that they should always maintain social distancing and also sensitise people around them on the need to observe COVID-19 protocols.
Chairman of the committee and Vice Chancellor, UNIMED, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi while speaking, commended schools for their high level of compliance saying ” leadership of schools have done well by putting in place the appropriate materials needed for proper hand washing, sanitisers and also enforcing the use of face masks by both staff and students.
While dwelling on the need to reduce the students’ population in each class, he stated that it is important that students learn in an environment suitable for their health.
Fatusi while speaking in one of the schools visited, Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure, stressed the need for safety to be given priority on people’s mind saying “everybody is vulnerable to the virus.”
commiserating with the staff and students of the school on the demise of the principal, he described her as a dedicated and committed woman who will be missed by all and advised that her good works be emulated especially in the area of COVID-19 prevention.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Femi Agagu in his contribution stressed the need for schools to make use of their halls to reduce students’ population especially in some subjects.
At Eji-Oba High School, Oba-Ile, Agagu while frowning at the dirty environment of the school, noted that healthy living should be the business of all and advised that the environment be given urgent attention with immediate effect in order to prevent the outbreak of any disease in the school.
Principal of the school, Dr. Toyin Olobayo promised to ensure that cleanliness becomes the order of the day in the school.
Other schools visited include; Aquinas College, Akure Secondary Commercial and Oyemekun Grammar School, all in Akure.