Kaduna: Schools to remain shut till security agencies say it’s safe to reopen

The Kaduna government says all primary and secondary schools in the state will remain shut until it is safe to reopen.

Shehu Muhammad, the commissioner for education, said the directive applies to public, private and religious schools in the state.

The commissioner spoke on Monday during a joint press conference with Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs.

Muhammad said that the press conference was organised to correct the insinuation that schools were directed to reopen for the third term on August 9.

He said the schools were earlier scheduled to reopen but that the ministry was not given the clearance due to ongoing security operations across the state.

“We were, however, surprised that for mischievous reasons, some individuals are circulating misguided information, claiming it was from the ministry, asking schools to resume,” the commissioner said.

“We want to categorically say that all schools – public, private and religious, including federal schools in the state – are to remain close.

“We will reopen as soon as we are advised to do so by security agencies, assuring us that schools are safe to open.”

The commissioner said the closure of schools is in the best interest of the pupils and students following a series of attacks by bandits and kidnappers.

Speaking in the same vein, Aruwan said security agencies are carrying out operations against bandits to improve the security situation in the state.

“It is for this reason that the government was advised against opening so as not to endanger the life of students,” he said.

“The government is concerned for the safety of lives and property and will give clearance for the schools to reopen as soon as security improves.”