The Lagos State Ministry of Education has allowed Chrisland School, Ikeja, students who are enrolled in final classes to continue physical classes in advance of their upcoming exams notwithstanding the ongoing inquiry at the school.
Folasade Adefisayo, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, issued a statement that was formally acknowledged by Ganiu Lawal, the Ministry’s Assistant Director for Public Affairs.
After the death of Whitney Adeniran, a student at the school, who passed away on February 9 while participating in the school’s yearly inter-house games at Agege Stadium in Lagos, the Ministry ordered the temporary closure of Chrisland School, Ikeja, on February 12.
Giving the reason for the partial opening of the school, Adefisayo was quoted as saying: “The temporary permission to allow the terminal classes comprising JSS3 and SS3 students access to the school is to enable them to participate in their terminal examinations.”
Adefisayo, however, noted that the school would remain closed until all necessary legal processes overseen by the State’s Ministry of Justice and ongoing administrative inquests under the purview of the Office of Education Quality Assurance and other agencies were complete.
The Commissioner added that the ministry, with the help of the Lagos State Joint Task Force responsible for implementing child protection policies and safeguards, would continue to communicate with Whitney Adeniran’s family regarding the matter.
She stated that the group comprises Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, such as the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Office of Education Quality Assurance and others.
Adefisayo further revealed that plans were in place to ensure other students of the school return to class.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had stated that the post-mortem report from the Lagos State University Teach Hospital (LASUTH) had identified Asphyxia and electrocution as the cause of Whitney’s death.
The Ministry also announced plans to charge the school, some members of its staff, and a vendor for negligence and other charges related to the incident based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.