The Niger State Ministry of Education has directed all public secondary schools to shut down for two weeks following recent cases of kidnapping.
According to a statement by the Commissioner of Education, Hajiya Hannatu Salihu, on Thursday, the schools are to close from Friday, March 12 to Friday, March 26, 2021.
She noted that the closure was to give relevant security agencies the time and opportunity to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of all public secondary schools.
This decision was taken during an emergency consultative meeting with leadership of the Association of the Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS), Executive Chairman, Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Heads of Education Agencies, Directors of the Ministry and other stakeholders of the sector.
Recall that during the wake of the Kagara school abduction, 22 secondary schools comprising 11 day and 11 boarding schools were closed in local government areas declared hot insecurity zones in the state.
Salihu stated that the comprehensive risk assessment exercise, when completed, will provide an all-inclusive mechanism and strategies that will restore and guarantee sustainable security and safety of students, school infrastructure, education managers and teachers.
She, however, pleaded for the understanding and support of education actors, parents and communities while reiterating the government’s resolve to leave no stone unturned in ensuring all schools in the state are safe environments for effective teaching and learning.
