Yobe resumed classes despite fuel, insecurity fears – Education commissioner

Contrary to wild speculations that schools in Yobe State wouldn’t reopen as scheduled following the heightened fears over the worsening fuel scarcity and the crippling security situation across the region, the state defied these odds to resume the new academic session.

Arewa PUNCH investigations indicated that many states in the North out of jitters had decided to opt for an extension of their resumption date due to insecurity concerns and the unabating fuel crisis ravaging the North, among others.

As a result, our correspondent spoke with the State Commissioner of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Mohammed Abba Idriss, who clarified the position of the state over the issue during an exclusive interview in Damaturu.

Dr Idriss had emphatically  stated that “The Yobe State government has no intentions of postponing the reopening of schools due to fuel scarcity and the threat of insecurity in the region,” insisting rather that, “The school calendar remains unchanged, and pupils and students are to return to school as previously planned.”

He emphasised that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education’s calendar indicated that schools were set to resume on Monday, September 16, 2024.

However, Arewa PUNCH further learnt that due to the Eid-el-Mulud celebration marking the birthday of the holy prophet, schools were rescheduled to resume the next day, Tuesday, September, 17.

The Commissioner who had also earlier questioned the logic of delaying schools reopening due to the twin associated problems of fuel scarcity and insecurity highlighted the uncertainty of fuel prices and market forces just as well he also assured of the adequate security architecture already put in place by the state government which allows for schools to reopen without fear of intimidation or other unwholesome activities crippling the education calendar.

Although, Idriss acknowledged the observed security concerns in some parts of the state, pointing out that there were indeed past challenges faced during the times of unrest caused by bandits and terrorists.

Nonetheless, he insisted that despite the potential impact of fuel scarcity on students, parents, and the government, he affirmed that all schools were prepared to receive students and teachers were ready to resume classes, assuring that the security concerns in Yobe State had been addressed.

He stated,  “As per as we are concerned, all our schools are ready to receive students, and the teachers are ready to teach. So, there is nothing stopping us from reopening our schools as earlier discussed.

“Circulars informing all parents and students have already been issued, and we believe the information has been well disseminated to all parents and school authorities,” he pointed out.

The Commissioner, while referencing past challenges faced during the times of unrest caused by bandits and terrorists noted that schools would remain operational, stressing that succumbing to pressure from such groups by postponing school resumption or closing schools would only serve to further the agenda of bandits and terrorists who are bent on disrupting education in the state and across the region.

“The major aim of the bandits and terrorists is to make sure children don’t go to school. So, closing the schools because of their activities means the bandits are succeeding in their campaigns.

“If you can remember during the Boko Haram attacks, we did not close schools. Schools were taking place. If one school is destroyed, the students are moved to the next available schools, and learning continues just as education will continue to take place.

“Succumbing to the pressure of the bandits in order to postpone the resumption of the schools or close down the schools, means we’re helping them to achieve their goals of stopping the pupils and students from accessing qualitative and sound education. We’re not going to postpone the resumption of the schools, and we’re not going to close our schools because of the activities of the bandits,” Idriss declared.

The education boss acknowledged the ministry’s achievements in improving educational outcomes, particularly in exams such as WAEC and NECO.

“Yobe State, once categorised as one of the worst-performing states in these examinations, has now made significant progress and is recognised for its improved performance.”

Equally addressing the issue of some parents refusing to send their children to school despite free education in the state, Dr. Idriss outlined plans for programs, advocacy efforts, and awareness campaigns to encourage enrollment and address this challenge.

“The Ministry has been there, and its achievements are obviously clear for everyone in the state and across the country to witness. This can be seen in the performance of the students in the WAEC and NECO examinations.

“Previously, Yobe State was one of the disadvantaged states in Nigeria where the results of the WAEC and NECO were always one of the poorest in the country.

“But, you can see now that Yobe State is being categorised as one of the best states performing optimally well in the WAEC and NECO examinations.

Regarding the suspension of school sessions due to feeding arrangements, the Commissioner clarified that there was no actual cessation of schooling.

He explained that “The situation involved an audit of feeding programs, which led to delays in school operations. With the intervention of Governor Mai Mala Buni, the feeding issue has been resolved, and schools are now functioning smoothly,” he declared.