As schools resumed 2020/2021 session, across Ondo state today, parents, students and other stakeholders in the education sector have expressed their preparedness for academic activities.
Our reporter went round schools at the weekend to ascertain the level of preparedness of stakeholders. Some parents were seen buying schools materials in readiness for their children’s resumption.
In some bookshops visited by The Hope, parents were on queue to buy books for their children with some sitting outside the shop waiting to be attended to.
A parent, Mr Abayomi Adelakun who spoke with our reporter said people are willing to buy books for their children but the prices have gone up.
Adelakun who appealed to government to pay workers’ salary and give loan to business owners to cushion the effect of the economic hardship noted that people are really finding things difficult.
He advised parents to prioritize the welfare of their children rather than wasting money on frivolities and urged the students to study hard to justify the efforts of their parents.
Another parent, Mrs Bolanle Omotunde said although books are costly, parents do not have a choice than to buy since the children will not be allowed in schools without textbooks.
She advised parents to make nose masks and sanitizers available for their children to prevent them from contracting COVID-19.
A school bag seller, Mr Tomiwa Bello said people were not really coming to buy because prices of bags have gone up and attributed the increase to exchange rate.
Bello who also sells school sandals said people wanted to buy less than the cost price because there is no money.
Meanwhile, proprietors of private schools in the state have said they are ready to return to school.
Speaking on their behalf, President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in the state, Mr Derick Ijidakinro said all the COVID-19 materials made available last term are still on ground.
Ijidakinro who said they are ready to comply with COVID-19 protocols called on government to allow its task force to work with their own to flush the bad eggs among them.
“We have informed our members to put their COVID-19 safety materials in order. Thank God, last term there was no casualty particularly in private schools. It was as a result of the little effort we put in place,” he said.
The duo of Feranmi Kolawole and Sarah Kinsley, both secondary students in the state said they were ready to return to school to continue their education.