The Lagos Office of Education Quality Assurance has announced that public and private schools in the state would observe a week-long mid-term holiday from November 1 to 5.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by OEQA Director-General, Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, on Tuesday.

Seriki-Ayeni said that all schools would begin instructional learning hours on November 8 in conformity with the Ministry of Education’s 2021/2022 harmonised school calendar.

She also said that the one-week break would afford schools the opportunity to internally upskill their teachers in various educational and developmental programmes, especially at this period of COVID-19 where learning has gone beyond the physical four walls of the classroom.

According to the DG, school administrators and leaders in the state should ensure that they comply strictly with the directive of the state government for a hitch-free mid-term break.

“They should also ensure they professionally enrich teachers to aid improved staff performance, effectiveness and efficiency as training and retraining is key to professional development in the 21st century.

“They should use the opportunity to further put in place COVID-19 safety and precautionary protocols as prescribed by the Lagos State Government for students’ wellness.”

She implored parents and guardians to make use of the mid-term break by engaging their children/wards productively, as well as spending meaningful time with them to boost a cordial relationship that would foster a peaceful society.