Oyo State government reviews school calendar over workers’ strike

To make up for the time lost to the seven weeks strike action embarked by its workers, the Oyo State government has reviewed the academic calendar for public schools in the state to enable them complete the third term academic session.

Addressing reporters on the decision, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Joseph Olowofela, said academic activities in the state public schools have been paralysed due to the industrial dispute between the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Olowofela said the seven weeks would be regained as academic activities would be in between now and September 9.

The commissioner noted that the new vacation period for public schools would be for just a week.

He also disclosed that the 17 schools identified to have allegedly participated in last month’s protest against the planned privatisation of some public schools have been pardoned and directed to open although Olowofela said government was still expecting letters of apology from teachers and students of the affected schools.

On his part, the President of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Schools ( ANCOPPS), in the state, Ranti Obafunsho, said it was imperative for all public schools in the state to adhere strictly to the new schedule and ensure students do not suffer any further set back.

In a related development, the State Government has announced that the basic education certificate examination, which should have been conducted during the period of the strike, would commence on August 8.