The Ogun State Government, on Monday, declared the COVID-19 test free for all SS3 students in both private and public schools.

This development comes after large crowds consisting of parents gathered to protest the initial N25,000 levy placed on students in private schools for the test while their mates in public schools were asked to pay nothing.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on public communication, Remmy Hassan, had said earlier that it would be bothersome for the government to make the test free since it had already subsidized it from the original N50,000 that it was meant to be. He has now turned back on the statement and has said that they have instructed testing centers to commence the free test immediately.

The Government also went one step ahead to say that all those who have paid before should be refunded after stepping down the test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in exit classes. The Governor, Dapo Abiodun, explained that the decisions were made after a thorough review.

“After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out tests 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 (5,340private 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 resumption or even exams which commence on 17th August 2020.

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“Consequently the State Government has, therefore, stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We, therefore, enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils.

“The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

“Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.

“I have also directed the provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.

“The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

“The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart.

“I appreciate the cooperation, support, resilience, and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in Ogun State. It is my prayer that this phase will end soonest,” he concluded.