The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, has sent a strong warning to school owners and parents to prioritise the safety of students as schools across the state resume for the second term on Monday.
The Commissioner emphasised that the "Safety First" rule must be strictly followed in all public and private schools.
This warning comes as millions of pupils and students prepare to return to classrooms after the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Ministry of Education has ordered all school heads to carry out a "integrity check" on their buildings.
This includes checking for cracked walls, leaking roofs, or broken fences that could put children in danger.
School buses must also be checked to ensure they are in good condition before they start picking up children.
"We want our children to learn in a secured and healthy environment," the Commissioner stated.
He also reminded schools to keep their surroundings clean to prevent the spread of illnesses like malaria and cholera.
Given the security challenges in some parts of the country, the Commissioner urged schools to be very careful about who enters their premises.
He advised that all visitors must be properly identified, and school gates should remain closed during learning hours.
Parents are also encouraged to play their part by ensuring their children are dropped off and picked up by trusted individuals.
The Ministry of Education will be sending out monitoring teams on Monday to ensure that schools are following these safety guidelines and that serious learning begins immediately.
