Kano pupils resume second term amid uncertainties

Pupils in public and private schools in Kano State have resumed for the 2020/2021 second term amid security concerns.

Against the resumption date, as stipulated on the school calendar, the state’s Ministry of Education announced the postponement of the second term till Monday, April 19, 2021, to enable schools to prepare for Ramadan.

However, there were concerns over the safety of students, especially those in public boarding schools in areas far removed from township headquarters as they return for academic sessions.

During the abduction of students in neighbouring Katsina State in February 2021, the state government abruptly shut 10 boarding secondary schools and four tertiary institutions in the outskirts as proactive measures to forestall similar occurrences in the state.

Although stakeholders applauded the measure, there were no security measures deployed to the affected schools, especially the secondary schools, to guarantee their safe return.

Even as the affected students relocated from the danger zones to various schools to complete their first term, The Guardian learned

that the schools were still in a bad state.

Similarly, the state’s secretary of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Aminu Tafida, expressed worry over the level of security, especially in the boarding schools, disclosing that the association was, however, prepared to augment the government’s efforts with the recruitment of local hunters.

“The last time we learnt the incidence of insecurity in our neighbouring states, we called the attention of the government to act fast to avoid similar occurrences in our state. That was what actually led to the closure of those 10 schools in the danger zones. Now, those schools are resuming, so we believe the government should not only improve the security situation but also involve the traditional leaders and vigilante groups,” he said.

Police spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, told The Guardian that strict directive had been issued to Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and zonal commanders across the state to beef up patrol and intelligence around the schools, especially those in the remote areas of the state.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education in Kano, Muhammadu Kiru, had disclosed that boarders, whose schools were shut in February 2021, would not return for the second term until the security improves.