Following the renewed terrorist attacks in parts of Niger State, the government has conducted a fresh review of the security situation based on expert advice of security agencies and approved the extension of the closure of all public and private schools in Zone C, pending further security clearance.
Eight Local Government Areas that make up the zone are Agwara, Borgu, Kontagora, Magama, Mariga, Mashegu, Rijau, and Wushishi.
It will however government reopen selected public and private schools on Monday, January 12, but only in locations that security agencies have cleared as safe to be done in phases.
The declaration of the reopening of selected schools in phases was made by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hadiza Muhammed, during an emergency inter-ministerial meeting on the safe reopening of schools.
According to her, the development is limited to schools approved by a joint committee of the ministry, local authorities and security agencies, starting with Chanchaga local government, parts of Bosso, Suleja and Bida, while stressing that the schools to be opened were specifically those within the metropolis.
The commissioner added that local governments, not the state alone, must provide a visible security presence around schools to reassure parents, pupils and communities.
Going forward, Muhammed disclosed that security challenges will not affect education in the state as they are going digital.
The state Director General for Schools and Education Reforms, Maimuna Mohammed, said the phased approach will allow education officials to re-register students, collect up-to-date data and assess teacher numbers and classroom capacity before scaling resumption.
According to the government, there will be strict monitoring of the schools’ reopening, and adequate sanctions will be meted out to defaulters.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
