Stakeholders in the education sector have raised concerns over the mass closure of schools across several states following persistent bandit attacks, warning that the development could discourage students from returning to school and make parents reluctant to re enroll their children.
The stakeholders, however, maintained that the closures do not mean that criminal elements are winning the battle against the country.
The concerned groups include parents under the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the National Association of Nigerian Students and university lecturers under the Congress of University Academics.
They spoke against the background of recent abductions of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States which forced about seven state governments to shut down schools. The Federal Government also ordered the closure of 41 Unity Schools under its control.
Amnesty International estimated that about 20,000 students may have been affected by the shutdown, warning that the situation would have serious consequences for education in the country. States where schools were closed indefinitely include Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Benue, Katsina, Yobe and Kebbi, while at least 10 higher institutions in Kebbi and Bauchi States were also shut indefinitely.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said the school closures do not indicate that terrorists are winning the battle. He said the safety of students must remain the top priority and supported the temporary shutdown of schools in vulnerable areas.
Ogunbanjo said that since it is only a few weeks to the Christmas break, governments should use the period to strengthen security measures before schools resume in January. He also urged other states at risk to consider temporary closures as a preventive measure.
National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Audu Amba, expressed deep sadness over the killing of a teacher during an attack on a school in Maga, Kebbi State. He confirmed that the abducted students have been released but noted that the family of the deceased teacher has suffered an irreparable loss.
Amba said criminals now consider schools as soft targets and described the closure of schools in vulnerable areas as a necessary preventive step. He added that although trauma may discourage some students and parents from returning to school, proper counselling and security reforms would help restore confidence.
National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, described the situation as critical, saying the country is once again under a serious security alert.
He noted that while school closures might give the impression that criminals are gaining ground, the temporary measure is justified if it leads to improved security architecture. Ajasa stressed that both the Federal Government and state governments must work together to secure schools permanently.
