Insecurity: Kwara approves partial reopening of schools

Learning activities will commence in some public schools across Kwara State after weeks of shutdown.

The state government has directed some schools to reopen on Monday and rolled out radio-based learning to cushion the impact on students whose schools are yet to open.

Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, disclosed this in a statement, on Sunday.

He said the reopening order did not apply to areas currently under special security surveillance, noting that such schools will remain shut until safety conditions improve.

According to him, the decision to exclude such areas from the resumption was taken to safeguard pupils, teachers and school administrators amid ongoing security operations.

“We welcome our children and teachers back to school across the state. Learning activities are to resume immediately in all but areas earlier identified to be under special security surveillance,” the commissioner said.

He stated that the “phased approach to resumption was deliberately adopted to ensure that children are not exposed to harm while security agencies intensify operations in affected locations.

“This structured school resumption is designed to keep our children from harm’s way amid renewed security operations. Normal school activities will resume in such places very soon,” Olohungbebe added.

He assured parents and guardians that the closures are temporary and strictly based on security assessments.

To prevent a total disruption of learning in areas where schools remain closed, Olorungbebe said the state government has introduced a radio based learning programme to provide alternative access to education.

The initiative, supported by UNICEF and the Nigeria Learning Passport, is expected to bridge learning gaps for students who are unable to return to classrooms due to insecurity.

According to the ministry, the radio lessons will commence on Monday on 99.1 Midland FM.

The broadcasts are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Mondays, 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 2.30 p.m. on Fridays, with plans to add more radio stations to widen coverage across the state.

The ministry, in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board, urged parents and guardians in affected areas to encourage pupils to follow the radio lessons while security measures continue.

Daily Trust reports that over 50 schools were closed following the security situation in the state, majorly in southern and northern parts of the state.

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