Why are students not resuming? Lamentations over low turnout of students as schools resume in Lagos

An investigation carried out by journalists on Monday 4 September, 2023, has revealed a low level of resumption by students in both public and private schools in Lagos.

Journalists affiliated with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday, visited some schools in the Alimosho, Agege and Ikeja areas of Lagos state where they reportedly experienced very low turnout of students as schools resume for the 2023/2024 academic session.

In their report, only a handful of students have resumed with very low number parents seen dropping off their children.

This is in opposition to prior experiences where students and pupils were seen enmasse as soon as schools resumed.

This has raised concerns as many tend to ask the question of why students are not found on the streets, in uniform going to school despite the commencement of a new academic session.

According to reports, some of the schools visited in Alimosho Local Government Area were Alimosho Junior and Senior High School, Rauf Aregbesola Primary School, African Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja High School, Pentavillle Montessori School, Sophem High School, Krisbetel College and Adegoke High School.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Akintoye Hassan, a member of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Chapter, confirmed the assertion adding that he witnessed the same issue in two schools he visited within Ikeja environs.

According to Mr Hassan, teachers were physically on ground in their various schools but the turnout of the students was poor.

He further advised the teachers to remain focused, make themselves available at in their schools and continue to be nation builders.

“The low turnout of students can be attributed to two factors, the first is that across the South West region, it is only Lagos State that has resumed even states that vacated on the same day are yet to resume till Sept.18.

“With this early resumption, Lagos State has allotted 16 weeks for first term activities to schools, which we believe is too long especially with the economic challenges.

“At the end of the day students and parents in line with the current economic situation might be affected.

“We are currently discussing with the leaders in the education sector in the state for a resolution to shorten the 16weeks academic activities for first term.

“The reality is that schools have resumed today, but within Lagos it was not noticeable that schools have resumed.”

Similarly, the National President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mr Yomi Otubela urged all private schools to concentrate mainly on viable and valuable projects and programmes that would project their schools positively.

Otubela who is also the proprietor of a school, advised managers of various public and private schools to device means of beating down unnecessary costs

He said, “Let us ensure that we embrace cost-cutting strategies. It will help us to keep our businesses afloat.

“As schools in Lagos resume today and schools in other states are preparing to resume, it is imperative to remind us that the safety and well-being of our students and staff members are sacrosanct and should be highly prioritised.

“We must ensure that the security staff members are adequately trained and equipped to ensure that schools are secure for the safety of students, staffers and others within the school premises.

“On behalf of the association, we would like to wish member schools throughout the states of the federation a hitch-free 2023/2024 academic session,”he said.

Otubela had reportedly said that in their school they were excited to welcome all students back for the new academic session.

“Parents and guardians, we appreciate your unwavering support and trust in us.

“Together, we will continue to nurture the bright minds of our children and guide them towards a future filled with promises and opportunities ,” he said.

Meanwhile, a parent, Mrs Ibironke Ajayi, who is also a business woman, blamed her children’s absence from school today on the assumption that the school would only be conducting the registration of the students adding that they will not resume this week due to her inability to pay their fees.

“They will resume next week by God’s Grace,” she said

In Makurdi the Benue State capital, Val9ja News spoke to a parent, Mrs Nyiekaa who blamed the economic situation of the country for her children’s absence in school today.

Mrs Nyiekaa who said she had tried her best to ensure that her students resume today, is forced to keep them at home without knowing when they will resume as she has not been paid for several months and can only hope on God for divine provision.

See Dollar(USD) to Naira Black Market Exchange Rate Today!