Ogun State Govt Cancels COVID-19 Test Requirement For SSS3, JSS3 Students

Ogun state government has cancelled the proposed N25,000 payment for Covid-19 test for final year secondary school students.

The government also said the test will no longer be compulsory for the graduating students.

Governor Dapo Abiodun said this following the outrage by parents of pupils in secondary schools against the covid-19 policy.

In a statement on Monday evening, titled. “Ogun Makes COVID-19 Test Free For All Returning SS3 Boarding Students”, the governor apologised to parents and students for the inconvenience and confusion, while stepping down COVID-19 test as a requirement for each graduating pupil to resume.

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The statement read in part, “After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out tests for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded. The health of our children remains our utmost priority.

“However, in view of the total number of boarding students to be tested (5,340private and 500 public), and bearing in mind the limitation of our installed testing capacity of 500 tests per day, it may not be feasible for all boarding students to get tested and get their results prior to resumption or even exams which commence on 17th August 2020.

“Consequently, the State Government has, therefore, stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes.

“We, therefore, enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding houses in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association of such private schools.

“Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions."