The decision was made during a meeting between the head of service and government officials, according to Mrs Ozavize Salami, the Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
She explained that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have been designated as school days, while Thursday and Friday will be non-school days. Salami emphasised the focus on maximising e-learning and ensuring the completion of the curriculum within a six-week period before the vacation.
To accommodate the revised school schedule, learning hours have been extended by one hour for basic schools and two hours for junior secondary schools across the state.
The timetable for Thursdays and Fridays has been integrated into the school days from Monday to Wednesday. The aim is to maintain continuity in students' education and meet the requirements of the curriculum.
Addressing the adjustment in workdays, Anthony Okungbowa, the State Head of Service, assured that the reduction in office workdays will not hinder productivity and efficiency in government services.
He urged heads of agencies, MDAs (Ministries, Departments, and Agencies), and permanent secretaries to develop work templates that align with the new schedule and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
The government will also provide shuttle buses to ease transportation for workers between the government house, the state secretariat, and other locations.
Eight designated routes in the city will have bus services to mitigate the impact of increased transportation fares on residents.