The Lagos Assembly House Committee on Education on Friday, expressed disappointment on the shoddy safety arrangements at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED, as tertiary institutions reopens in the state on Monday, September 14th.
The Committee, led by Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, however applauded the safety protocols put in place by the Lagos State University, LASU.
The committee made these remarks when it visited Lagos State University, LASU and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED to ascertain the level of compliance put in place in the safety protocols of COVID-19 within the schools in preparation for resumption on Monday, 14th September, 2020.
Mrs. Ogunleye Balikis, the Provost of AOCOED who received the Lawmakers, highlighted the measures the school has put in place ahead of school resumption.
She stated that awareness banners; wash hand basins; sanitizers and thermometers have been positioned in strategic places around the school, right from the main entrance of the school; also, the importance and advantage of face mask have been printed out in the college bulletin.
“No student will be allowed to enter the school premises without the use of face mask. We have set up a task force which comprises of; Quality Assurance Director, College Librarian, Chief Security Officer and Student Union President to ensure students adhere to the protocols.” She explained.
She added that, “Reflective jackets have been made for the Task Force to distinguish them from other students.”
But Hon. Ogundimu during the inspection, expressed disappointment with the institution as not all the preventive measures claimed by the Provost are installed.
He revealed that all classrooms were locked up with dust and cobwebs.
“There is no need going further when we cannot gain access to the first set of classrooms in the institution. The water taps set at the entrance of the school gate was not properly done and has no soaps for visitors.” He observed.
Meanwhile, the committee was impressed with arrangements at the Lagos State University, LASU.
At the Lagos State University, LASU, the Vice Chancellor Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun while receiving the Lawmakers, expressed delight with their visit.
Prof. Fagbohun highlighted measures stationed for the resumption of academic activities post COVID-19.
“Hand sanitizing booths with soap and thermometers have been installed from the main entrance of the institution and all the entrances of departments within the school. The awareness banners which you would find at every nook and cranny of the school have all the protocols on it for students to obey at all times.”
Adding that the Governing Council of the institution had met to discuss the actualisation of physical social distancing among the students and came up with guidelines on resumption of academic activities for the students. He expounded.
The Vice Chancellor, listing the new academic scheduling, noted that only final year students at the 400, 500 and 600 undergraduate level, depending on the duration of the program are permitted to resume academic activities on Monday, 14th September, 2020 and their lecture hours will be from 9am to 3pm daily Monday to Friday. Post Graduate students are to resume also on Monday, 14th September, 2020 but their lectures will strictly hold only on weekends.
He added that 200 to 500 level students will commence academic activities on Monday, 9th November, 2020, while lectures for newly admitted students will commence on Monday, 11th January, 2021.
Prof. Fagbohun also stated that the part-time classes for the Sandwich and Diploma Degree Programmes in Epe Campus will commence lectures on Friday, 13th November, 2020 and their lectures will hold only on weekends.
At the commencement of the inspection, the House Committee started with the Faculty of Law.
Hon. Ogundimu expressed satisfaction with the facilities on ground in and outside of the Faculty and proceeded to the school hospital which he proclaimed in superb standard.
The Chairman, in his remarks stated that, “We have moved round the University and seen the classrooms, entrances and Medical Center and can tell you LASU is ready for resumption.”
“We have seen facilities we have never seen in any institution we have visited.” He added.
The Lawmaker said the agitation of the Academic Staff Union will be looked into since they presented a letter for the new minimum wage to be effected.
“The new minimum wage could have been implemented but due to the COVID-19 lockdown, there was little or nothing anybody could do. We will engage them and agree on when it will be effected.” He said.
Lawmakers on the inspection tour were Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, Hon. Bisi Yusuff, Hon. Olawale Abdul-Sobur and Hon. David Setonji.
