Oyo schools to close September 9, JSS 3 exams start August 8

Towards making up for the seven weeks lost as a result of the just suspended strike, the Oyo State government has rescheduled the 2015/2016 academic session to run from Tuesday, July 26 to Friday, September 9, 2016.

Students of Junior Secondary School (JSS3) will sit for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) between August 8 and August 18.

The third term examination for public primary and secondary schools would span August 22 to September 2 while the students will observe a week break from Monday, September 12 to 16.

It will be recalled that the calendar was truncated on June 6, 2016 following a protest by public school students over some state government’s policies.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Niyi Olowofela, made these developments known on Wednesday.

Olowofela added that the 2016/2017 academic year would start on Monday, September 19, 2016.

“The government of Oyo State appreciates the efforts of all concerned that eventually culminated into the end of the industrial logjam. And, we wish to inform members of the general public that after an extensive deliberation with relevant stakeholders, it was agreed upon that the reviewed dates be adhered to for the completion of the session and for smooth preparation of the coming academic session,” he said.

Chairman, All Nigeria Congress of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS), Oyo State chapter, Mr Ranti Obafunso and Secretary, National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) Deacon Akinola Olufemi, enjoined all parents, teachers and students to adhere strictly to the new school calendar so as to cover lost academic ground.

Meanwhile, schools reopened and civil servants returned to work on Wednesday, with the number of students and teachers expected to hit its maximum, in coming days.

It was gathered that the state government had ordered banks to effect two months moratorium on debt service obligations.

Consequently, it is expected that workers begin to get salary and pension payment alerts from Thursday.

Chairman, Oyo chapter, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Waheed Olojede, had emphasised the importance of quick payment of these monies to enable workers have funds to transport themselves to their workplaces.