Bauchi govt. orders immediate closure of schools over insecurity

By Olaide Ayinde

Following in the footsteps of other states in the Northern part of the country, the Bauchi Government has announced closure of its primary, secondary and higher institutions over rising insecurity.

Bauchi State Government said the closure of the educational institutions followed extensive consultations and in response to overwhelming security concerns affecting the safety of students, teachers, and school communities across the state.

The temporary closure of the institutions of learning was announced in a statement late Sunday by Mr Jalaludeen Usman, the Public Relations Officer, Bauchi state Ministry of Education.

The statement indicated that the closure of schools affects state, private and federal government owned schools with immediate effect.

“The government is fully aware of the inconvenience this may cause. However, the protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility.

“Every student in Bauchi state deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, stable, and free of fear.

“We therefore call on parents, guardians, school proprietors, and all concerned stakeholders not to panic, but to remain calm and cooperative.

“The government is working closely with security agencies to address the concerns swiftly and comprehensively, ensuring that normal academic activities resume as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.

The Federal Government had over the weekend ordered a shutdown of academic activities in some schools over rising insecurity and abduction of pupils.

While the Federal Government closed 41 unity schools, governors of Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Katsina also shut down schools in their states.

(NAN