School reopening: Gov Abiodun bows to pressure, declares COVID-19 test free for returning students

 

  Governor Dapo Abiodun has declared COVID -19 test free for all returning SS3 students in Ogun state, Some parents had on Monday, August 3, protested over N25,000 imposed for COVID-19 test for SS3 students - Abiodun, however, ordered the refund of the money to those who had already paid for the test 

 Following the protests that greeted the proposed N25,000 for COVID-19 test for the exit students in the state, the Ogun state government on Monday, August 3, bowed to pressure. The Nation reports that the state government led by Governor Dapo Abiodun declared COVID-19 test free for all returning Senior Secondary Students (SSS3) in private and public schools. 

Ottagistreel gathered that the government also instructed testing centres to commence the free test immediately, adding that those who had already paid for the test should be refunded. Coronavirus: Engaging activities you can do to avoid boredom following the stay at home order Governor Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement, also stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in exit classes. 

 Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state addressing people of the state. Credit: Twitter/Dapo Abiodun. Source: Twitter He said: “After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the government laboratories carry out the test 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 (5,340 private 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.