NIGER: Govt orders public secondary schools to reopen today, March 29

THE government has directed all public schools in the state to reopen for academic activities, today, March 29, three weeks after their closure.

The government, had noted three weeks ago that the closure was to enable the state conduct risk assessment after the incident which saw the abduction of some students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara.

But in a new statement issued by the Commissioner, Niger State Ministry of Education, Hajiya Hannatu Jibrin Salihu, the government said the decision to reopen the schools was taken after the Ministry of Education had an expanded management meeting of Directors, Zonal Directors of Quality Assurance, and Heads of Agencies.

The statement, however, added that the reopening of the schools will be in phases.
The statement read, “All public day secondary schools are to reopen on Monday, March 29, 2021.

“All boarding secondary schools in urban areas are to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

“Low-risk boarding secondary schools in rura lareas that are to run as day schools during the period are also to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

“Public day secondary schools in areas of high risk that would run in clusters with selected safe schools in nearby communities would reopen on a later date to be announced after adequate arrangements are concluded.”

The state said students from other communities in the boarding schools that would operate as day schools during the period would be moved to other boarding/day secondary schools in their localities.

The statement continued, “All principals have been provided with specific details in respect of the arrangement under (1) – (4). Therefore, they are expected to work under and in collaboration with their zonal directors to ensure compliance in light of the demands of current security realities.

“All schools, especially those at high risk, would be provided with adequate security meant to enhance the capacity of the school system and security personnel to respond to threats.

“To this end, every school must immediately form a formidable Security team, comprising of School Officials, Security Personnel, PTA, SBMC and Vigilante with active community participation to allow for strong security presence in and around the Schools.

“In addition, principals are expected to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols by guaranteeing the compulsory wearing of face masks, sanitizing of hands and maintaining social distancing among others.”