The Edo State government on Tuesday said it extended the resumption date for schools to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

On September 7, the state government announced the indefinite postponement of school resumption, citing a hike in fuel prices.

The resumption of public and private schools was initially scheduled for September 9 but was postponed to address safety concerns.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, announced this during a news conference in Benin, emphasising the rationale behind the decision.

Mr Nehikhare explained that the extension reflected the government’s deep commitment to protecting children from the potential dangers of rising fuel prices.

“In light of recent developments, we have extended the school resumption date to safeguard our children’s safety and well-being.

“This decision was also influenced by intelligence reports indicating that some groups had imported armed thugs, posing a threat to the peace and stability of Edo.

“We will not take any chances with our children’s safety; we are keeping them at home until the situation is diffused,” Mr Nehikhare said.

He noted that the activities of some elements, which included shooting innocent people, raised significant concerns for the government’s peacekeeping efforts.

Mr Nehikhare stated that such actions appeared part of a desperate strategy to instigate a state of emergency and discredit the ruling party.

The commissioner assured the public that despite the extended break, mechanisms were in place to address learning loss once schools resumed.

“Our commitment to quality education is steadfast, and we will work diligently to recover any lost instructional time,” he added.

He reiterated that the government’s top priorities remained the safety and education of Edo children, promising to protect communities and ensure secure learning environments.

Mr Nehikhare urged the public to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities to maintain peace and stability across Edo during these challenging times.

(NAN)