Confusion on Monday trailed the June 12 public holiday in Lagos State as pupils and teachers were sent back home from their various schools in the morning.
A school teacher, told the News Agency of Nigeria, Alhaja Badirat Baruwa, “It was when I got to school this morning that I learnt that there was a holiday.
“Since June 12 was Sunday, nobody was sure whether or not Monday will be declared a holiday.’’
Another school teacher, Mr. Adedoja Idowu, said there was no formal information about the holiday, saying that there were only speculations based on the fact that it was meant to be an annual event.
“As at Sunday night, the news was not clear if the Lagos State has declared June 13, 2011 as public holiday for the celebration of June 12,” the statement said.
A parent, Mrs Foluso Adeleye, told NAN that the news about the public holiday was not widely spread.
Adeleye said she had informed her children that there would be no school on Monday but a teacher called from their school to tell her that there was no public holiday.
“I am confused over this public holiday declared by the state government; the school authority is saying there is school, while the government declared public holiday,’’ she said.
NAN also observed that pupils of community primary school, Ijegun; Holy Family School, Ikotun; and some government schools at Okota were walking back home in the morning, looking confused.
In Lawanson area of Lagos, some pupils were seen in uniform and others in casual clothes at the entrance of some schools.
NAN further observed that due to the uncertainty of the public holiday, the Lagos State government teachers’ staff bus was sighted at Maryland bus-stop, but it was empty.
An official in the State Universal Basic Education Board, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that there was no holiday in the state; that schools were open and teachers were working.
The SUBEB official told NAN that June 12 holiday was not binding as it would not stop those writing examinations such as NECO.
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Confusion trails June 12 holiday in Lagos schools