BEVERLY HILLS, November 03, (THEWILL) – All is set for all public primary schools in Borno State to resume normal academic activities after months of prolonged holiday caused by incessant Boko Haram attacks.
The State Government announced the resumption date Monday, saying it was ready to reopen the public primary schools that were closed in March.
Hopes of early resumption had been dashed following the April abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Chairman of the state committee on the resuscitation of primary school education, Dr. Mohammed Dongel, who announced the resumption day in Maiduguri, the state capital, said the state government had made adequate preparations to fumigate the schools against reptiles and other rodents before the resumption.
“All things being equal, public schools will re-open for classes on Nov. 17. Gov. Kashim Shettima has already approved the procurement of chemicals for the fumigation of the schools against reptiles and other rodents ahead of the re-opening,” he said.
The committee chairman however said only the public primary schools would reopen as the secondary schools will remain closed until the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in the secondary schools are adequately relocated.
“We plan to re-open public secondary schools soon after the primary schools. We are working on plans to relocate the IDPs to two places- the Hajj Camp and the International Conference Centre Maiduguri, so that the schools will be re-opened for classes,” he disclosed.
Dongel added that his committee had introduced numerous incentives to ensure that students return to schools after the re-opening.
“You will agree with me that most parents have been traumatised by insurgents attacks on schools. Students have also been scared due to incessant attacks on schools, so we need to introduce measures for the purpose of encouraging schools enrollment and retention,” he said.
According to Dongel, the state government had also agreed to provide free school uniform to all students in public schools to encourage them to stay, adding “Government has also introduced free daily meals in all public schools to entice students to stay.”
He disclosed that government had also procured K-Yan instructional machines for easy teaching and learning in schools.
“We are trying to introduce e-learning in primary schools to transform our education system into a world class,” he said.
On new security measures in put in place in schools to ensure safe environment for teaching and learning, Dongel said: We have introduced perimeter fencing in all public schools to ensure maximum security.
“We have also increased the number of security men in schools to ensure 24 hours security,” he said.
Dongel added that the Borno Government is also working in partnership with local youth vigilante group- the Civilian JTF to ensure adequate security in the schools.
