Ogun State Government has on Monday cancelled the proposed N25,000 payment for coronavirus test for final year secondary school students.
The government also said the test will no longer be compulsory for the JSS3 and SS3 students.
Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known following protest by parents against the introduction of the policy, which asked them to pay N25,000 each for COVID-19 test and present the result before their wards would be allowed in school hostels.
In his communique which was titled “Ogun Makes COVID-19 Test Free For All Returning SS3 Boarding Students”, Governor Abiodun stated that the admittance of students into boarding houses in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.
He assured that the test will now be carried out free of charge for all returning students, ordering Government Laboratories in the state to carry out tests for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost.
Governor Abiodun also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.
According to him, the new directive has become imperative because the health of children remains an utmost priority to his administration.
He added;
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 the 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.
Governor Abiodun recommended that students who do not have to stay in boarding houses should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.
The Governor stated that face masks will be made available to all students in both private and public schools.
