The government of Edo State has declared that the reopening of public and private schools will be delayed indefinitely due to the current fuel crisis. Schools were set to reopen on September 9, 2024, but will stay closed until additional updates are provided. This decision, prompted by a hike in fuel costs, has raised worries among parents and educational stakeholders facing economic difficulties. Ojo Akin-Longe, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Education, released a statement indicating that the decision to postpone was necessary to ease tensions resulting from the recent increase in petrol prices and its impact on families.
Also, the government encouraged parents, guardians, and caregivers to watch their children during this time. The communication emphasised that the choice was taken to protect the Welfare of the children, given that parents are struggling with the increasing expense of the daily cost of living. The recent increase in petrol prices has affected multiple sectors, significantly impacting families by raising transportation costs and everyday expenses. Given these economic challenges, the state government concluded that resuming educational institutions was not suitable, given the difficulties faced by parents and guardians.
APC criticises Edo’s school delay, calling it politically motivated.
However, the delay in reopening institutions is intended to provide families with breathing room and alleviate escalating tensions within the community. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has criticised the decision, describing it as “expensive political gimmickry.” According to the party’s Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae-Enosorogbe, the government’s decision to delay school resumption is unnecessary and counterproductive. He argued that the hike in fuel prices should not interfere with children’s education, noting that the state’s Educational System has suffered setbacks under the current administration.
He expressed concern about how the delay could affect students’ educational advancement, noting that many students are ready to resume their studies. Uwadiae-Enosorogbe urged a prompt cancellation of the delay, claiming that the state government prioritises political motives over children’s education. He noted that although there was a petrol shortage, there had been no major demonstrations, and parents had not expressed any difficulties in sending their kids to class, further undermining the government’s justification. Furthermore, responses to the fuel crisis have varied among states nationwide.
Lagos, Benue, and Kano confirm academic reopening despite fuel crisis.
Unlike Edo State, the Lagos State government, represented by its Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that the petrol shortage would not affect the planned academic reopening. Omotoso reassured parents and students that the fuel situation was a short-term issue and would not prevent the governmental plans for the academic calendar. He observed that petrol availability was improving, and institutions in the state would open as planned. Similarly, Matthew Abo, the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism for Benue State, stated that there were no intentions to postpone the reopening of institutions.
Abo noted that the Commissioner for Education had not expressed any issues related to the petrol crisis impacting educational institutions, confirming that schools in Benue would commence as planned. Borno State’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, conveyed hesitation on the matter, indicating that he had not obtained official verification from the Commissioner for Education. Meanwhile, Kano State’s Director of Public Enlightenment within the Ministry of Education, Balaraba Kiru, affirmed that schools would resume as scheduled for the 2024/2025 academic year.
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Moreover, the government of Sokoto State assured that there are no plans to postpone the reopening of schools for both public and private sectors, whereas Adamawa State has not issued any statements regarding this issue. Schools in Adamawa are set to resume classes on September 15, 2024, unless an official declaration suggests a change. Schools have officially opened for the initial term of the 2024/2025 academic year, with boarding students beginning on September 1 and day students starting on September 2 in Nasarawa State. Meanwhile, Kogi State has announced its academic schedule, revealing that the first term will start on September 16 and continue for 13 weeks, ending in December.