The Katsina State Coalition of Civil Society Organizations has kicked against the state government under the Ministry of Education for skipping the third term of the 2020/2021 academic session and directing for the resumption of the first term of the 2021/2022 academic session.
Schools in Katsina had earlier resumed for the 2020/2021 third term on September 13 and were directed to shut down on September 17, less than a week after the resumption.
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In a statement by its Chairman, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, that singular act will have an adverse negative effect on the academics of the students in the state.
According to the statement, the Coalition is reacting to a memo in circulation in which the state’s Ministry of Education notified the public and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the amendment of the state’s academic calendar, skipping a whole third term for the 2020/2021 Academic Session.
The Coalition also suggested to the government to consider making a crash programme for 6 weeks within which the activities for the Third Term can be covered and reduce the holiday period for the next academic session.
While noting and appreciating efforts that are being made by the state to reposition the education sector, the coalition called on the state government to with immediate effect, reconsider that intention, for the negative effects it may cause the education sector.
The government may see the decision of skipping a term as simple, but the implication of not covering the topics per subject area may be of dangerous consequences to the future education of the children.
Abdulrahman also added that the state should also put into consideration, that external examination bodies such as the West African Examination Council, WAEC, and the National Examination Council, NECO, will not take into account the Katsina State situation when setting their examinations.
The coalition further said the situation will imply that the students will be at a disadvantage during their final year examinations, due to the decision, which might cause poor performances and affect their future academic pursuit.
The coalition also argued that the school’s closure in 2020 due to Covid-19 and insecurity have adversely affected and disrupted the educational system and stalled the students’ progress.
They, therefore, advised the government on the need to engage in make-up activities, to address the gap created, as a result of the interruptions, rather than skip a whole third term.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
