- Niger State plans to reopen 11 out of 42 secondary schools closed due to banditry, some of which have been closed for four years
The government of Niger State has announced plans to reopen 11 of the state’s 42 secondary schools that were closed due to banditry.
Some of the affected schools have been closed for four years while their students have been relocated to other safer schools.
Dr Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, the state’s Commissioner for Education, announced on Wednesday during a meeting with officials from the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Zonal Quality Assurance Directors, and ministry management.
Government Science College, Izom, Gurara LGA; Teachers Professional Development Institute, Dandaudu, Munya LGA; Government Science College, Kutigi, Lavun LGA; and College of Arts and Islamic Studies, Santali, Lavun LGA are among the schools that will reopen.
Other schools include the Government Girls’ Science College in Sabon-Wuse, the Government Day Secondary School in Kabo, the Government Day Secondary School in Daku, the Government Day Secondary School in Shanu, the Government Day Secondary School in Iwa, the Government Girls’ Arabic Science College in Dikko, and the Government Secondary School in Wushishi.
The commissioner stated that the meeting was held to notify the management of the affected schools and their teachers to prepare for the resumption of classes and that an online data collection of all teachers would begin soon for proper monitoring.
She also stated that the state would begin indexing students from Early Child Care Department Education (ECCDE) classes to Senior Secondary School (SSS), and that ECCDE would be made mandatory.
She warned that no child would be admitted to primary school after completing early childhood education (ECCDE) classes.
Dr. Hadiza, who emphasized the importance of free education in the state, warned that any principal collecting unapproved student fees would be sanctioned.
She went on to say that the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) and Parents Teachers Associations (PTA) would be in charge of overseeing school activities.
Akayago Mohammed, the State Chairman of the NUT, urged the government to improve the welfare of teachers in the state.