Insecurity: Stopping school activities over attacks is suicidal, says minister

Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, says the federal government will not stop school activities, despite the attacks on learning institutions across the country.

In recent times, the north has witnessed a series of mass abductions of schoolchildren by gunmen — a situation that has led to the closure of some schools in the country.

TheCable had reported that at least 1,119 students had been abducted in the north over the course of seven years.

Speaking on the how insecurity is affecting schools in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, Nwajiuba said it will suicidal for the government to put a halt to school operations.

The minister noted that the motive behind the attacks is for schools to be permanently closed, adding that the federal government is working seriously to address the situation.

“We are aware that some of the attacks are meant to stop the idea of going to schools at all, and that is behind the motivation of governors that we would not stop schooling,” he said.

“We must continue. Stopping schooling is suicidal for the country. You heard the cost as the minister of finance did in the pitch she gave on the opening of these schools.

“But if we look at everything all together, the country is making serious efforts battling this as much as we can and stepping up the ability to respond.”

Nwajiuba also said the federal government was very concerned about the rate of abductions in schools.

“I’m worried as the next parent; all my children are in public schools in Nigeria. I can tell you, no father, no mother would want this. Nobody wants this. We are as worried as the next person,” he said.

“I can tell you for free — my elder brother, the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, and Mr President are as worried as anybody else.

“I want to reassure Nigerian children that we are here for them.”

He added that around 200 schools have been closed, but some of such schools are currently operating within other settings.

“The total number of schools that are not functioning at the moment is a little bit under 200. But many of the schools in that part of the country, which can be run alongside schools where they can be relocated, are already being done,” he said.

“Using a combined system of mergers, de-boarding, re-segregating, schools have been opened and are being managed along these lines.

“The condition that has led to the closure, mergers, and measures are continuing and the federal government is taking active steps.

“The safety of the country includes safety of schools. So, one leads to the other in some sort of way because once the schools are safe, our country is safe. Once the society is safe, it is safe to go to schools.”