Schools across Taraba State have resumed academic activities amid a policy shift from boarding school systems to day schooling in several public institutions. The change forms part of broader education sector reforms aimed at reducing operational costs and improving student safety.
Education officials explained that the transition was informed by financial constraints and concerns over the management of boarding facilities. According to the state government, maintaining boarding schools has become increasingly expensive due to rising food, utility, and security costs.
Under the new arrangement, affected schools will operate strictly as day schools, with students returning home daily. The government stated that this model would allow for better parental involvement in students’ education while freeing up funds for classroom improvement and teacher development.
Parents have expressed mixed reactions to the policy. While some welcomed the move citing improved child supervision and reduced financial burden, others raised concerns about transportation challenges and longer commuting distances for students in rural areas.
The state government acknowledged these concerns and promised to work with local communities to address logistics issues. Officials said discussions are ongoing regarding transportation support and possible adjustments for schools located far from residential areas.
Education authorities stressed that academic standards would not be compromised by the change. They assured that teaching hours and curriculum delivery would remain intact, with monitoring mechanisms in place to track performance.
As schools settle into the new term, the policy shift is expected to generate ongoing debate about the best approach to delivering quality education in resource constrained environments.
