Indications emerged in Abuja, at
the weekend, that the Federal Government might order the closure of both
private and public schools across the country to allow for hitch-free conduct
of the general election this month.
Minister of Education, Mallam
Ibrahim Shekarau, who gave the hint at an interactive session with newsmen on
Saturday, said the state commissioners for education from the 36 states of the
federation had been summoned for an emergency meeting today in Abuja.
He, however, denounced reports in
some quarters that the Federal Government had unilaterally ordered closure of
schools nationwide for two weeks.
Shekarau said the Federal
Government could not have made such pronouncement without necessary
consultations with relevant stakeholders, especially the state governments that
owned and controlled greater number of schools in the country.
The emergency meeting of the 36
commissioners for education in the country is to deliberate on whether to shut
down schools before the commencement of the forthcoming general election.
Already, while some institutions
would be shutdown and resume after the elections, others that are sitting for
examination would have to complete the examinations before February 14.
The decision to close the schools
follows palpable tension that has gripped residents of major cities, especially
flash points in Northern Nigeria that were prone to post-election violence in
the 2011 general election.
On whether schools would be
closed during 2014 election, Shekarau said: “As far as the Federal Government
is concerned, nobody has made any statement in respect of closure of schools
during election. But we are also aware that there are agitation and questions
and conflicting views. Some are agitating that schools should be closed and
some are saying there is no need to close schools.
“So to address this issue, the
ministry has already summoned a meeting with all the states commissioners for
education and stakeholders in education for today, (Monday), in Abuja.
“We feel that we in the ministry
should not just sit in the office and issue such directives. We will meet with
all stakeholders in the states and look at the benefits and disadvantages of
closing down schools. But I want to assure you that we are going to put the
interest of the nation first.
“You remember when Nigeria had
Ebola crisis, we deliberated on the issue before we made joint statement and it
went well. So after that meeting, we would brief you on whether schools would
be closed during election. We would also give you reasons why schools should be
closed.”
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