We are not sure when schools will reopen – Niger govt

Niger state government has said it is not sure of when the boarding schools shut down as result of insecurity, will reopen.

The state commissioner for education, Hajia Hannatu Jibrin Salihu said this on Sunday while reuniting the kidnapped Kagara students with their families.

The Commissioner said they are meeting with parents, teachers and other stakeholders to come up with template for the reopening of the schools.

“The security challenge facing this state is huge and we have to ensure things are put in proper place before we will think of reopening the school.

“I can’t say when they will go back to school or when it will be reopened but we will ensure that the SS3 students are kept in touch with to see how we will manage them so that they won’t miss anything and still write the final examination.

“Schools and students are delicate issue but we are talking to the parents and other stakeholders to come up with a template for the reopening of the school,” she said.

The commissioner urged the students not to be discouraged by their experiences, adding that they would go back to the society as better persons.

The Commissioner, who expressed concern over the difficulty in reaching out to parents when the students were abducted, appealed to parents to always identify with the principals of the schools where their children go, and to always visit their wards from time to time.

She said it was difficult to get across to the parents the day the students were kidnapped.

She encouraged the students to go back to the society in high spirit.

Also speaking, the state commissioner for health, Dr Muhammed Makusidi, assured that the alumni of the school and government are doing their best to put the school back into its best.

The Director General of the Child’s Right Agency in the state, Hajia Maryam Kolo, who has been at the forefront of counselling of the students to get them out of the trauma described it as an harrowing experience but happy with the students response to their counselling.  (Daily Trust)