Our position on closure of schools by Bauchi Govt, ATBU, Fed Poly react

By Rauf Oyewole 

Following the closure of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across Bauchi State over the insecurity threat that is spreading across the North, federal institutions in the state have expressed compliance with the state government’s directive.

Late Sunday night, the state through the Ministry of Education announced temporary closure of schools, saying the step became necessary after consultation over the state of security in the state.

The temporary closure affects state, private and federal government owned schools. The government said that after extensive consultations and in response to overwhelming security concerns affecting the safety of students, teachers, and school communities across the state, it decided to temporarily close the institutions of learning.

“The government is fully aware of the inconvenience this may cause. However, the protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility. Every student in Bauchi State deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, stable, and free of fear.

While speaking with our Correspondent on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Mr. Rabiu Wada said that, although the Polytechnic is currently on break, the directive is on security.

“The Governor is the chief security officer of the state and security of our students and staff is paramount to us. If the school had been in session, we would have closed the school immediately. The government in their statement said that they are in consultation with security agencies, so we don't have a reason not to comply.”

Also, the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) expressed readiness to comply with the directive. According to the head, Directorate of Information, Mr. Zailani Bappa, explained that the Institution had closed for the semester after exams before the directive.

“Our students have been on break. The staff just commenced a six-week break of which they return by the first week of January. If the situation has been changed by the state government by that time, we will decide on the action,” he said.