The Edo State Government has announced that the starting date for the 2024/2025 academic session in elementary and secondary schools has been postponed in order to ensure the safety and well-being of pupils.
The State Government had previously said in a circular dated September 6, 2024, that the commencement of the academic session, which was originally scheduled for September 9, 2024, had been postponed until further notice owing to tensions emerging from the Federal Government’s recent rise in gasoline prices.
The circular, issued by Ojo Akin-Lounge, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Oviawe, also ascribed the postponement to issues experienced by parents and guardians as a result of the gasoline price increase.
However, during a press conference in Benin on Tuesday, State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare said that the postponement was necessary to guarantee the safety and well-being of children.
He said:
“This decision is rooted in our deep commitment to protecting our children from all forms of danger including the possible consequences of the astronomical increase in the price of fuel as well as the concomitant increase in cost of living.
“We are also mindful of the intelligence report we received about the threats posed by the APC, who have reportedly imported and armed thugs that are causing mayhem across the state.
“Because the safety of our children is paramount we do not want to take any chances hence we are keeping our children in the safety of their homes until we difuse the situation sortly.
“The APC’s actions, including their reckless behaviour that has resulted in the shooting of innocent individuals, raise serious alarms. We believe that these actions are part of a desperate strategy to instigate a state of emergency and shift the blame onto the PDP.
“We also want to clarify that apart from the public holidays on Monday and Friday, we have implemented mechanisms to ensure that any learning loss during this extended period will be effectively addressed.
“Our commitment to our children’s education remains unwavering, and we will work diligently to regain any lost instructional time.
“Our priority is the safety and education of our children. We will continue to take necessary measures to protect our communities and ensure that our schools are safe environments for learning.”
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cc: Daily Post Ng
