Niger state finalises school exam plans in security prone areas

Niger state government is making arrangements to allow final year secondary school students in security prone areas write their final examinations.

The States Commissioner for education, Hajia  Hannatu Jibrin Salihu stated this while handing over the released abducted students and staff of the Government Science College Kagara to their immediate family members in Minna the Niger state capital.

“We are in contact with the SS3 students and working out how best we can help them so that they will write their exams. And I am sure at the end of the day, we will come out with something productive for them”, she said.

Hajia Hannatu further said that the State Government has concluded plans of securing all its schools from criminal elements stressing that plans were already on toward making sure that schools are safe in the state especially the boarding schools.

The Commissioner who emphasized that government in the state has taken more precautions in make learning across the State more safer and conducive, appealed to parents to allow their children continue with their education as government is seriously striving to find a lasting solution.

Challenges to continued education

The recent attack and abduction of students of Government Science Secondary School Kagara in Niger state and of Kankara in Katsina and Jangebe in Zamfara state has thrown parents in dilemma of allowing their children in boarding schools in security prone states in the country continue their education.

Mallam Suleiman Farin wata, a public affairs analyst in Niger state commended the Niger state government for the examinations arrangement.

He however advised the State government to urgently put more emphasis on the security arrangements in schools and also give more priority to the education sector in the State.

“There should be a holistic approach in the reconstruction and renovations of dilapidated structures in most schools in the rural communities of the state apart from rejigging the security arrangements in all schools across the State.”

Farin wata who also appreciated the earlier moves by the state government in revamping decayed structures across schools in the State, added that the Kagara abduction clearly shows lack of adequate security arrangements in schools across the rural communities.

“Urgent measures on educational development is the only way of assuring parents of the protection of the lives of their children in boarding schools. As far as schools fences and other structures remains visibly scattered, no parent will allow his child to be out there” Farin wata said.

Emmanuel Ukoh