Borno to re-open public schools on November 17

The Borno Government said on Monday that it would reopen all public schools on Nov. 17 which were closed down early in the year due to security concern.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the schools were shut on March 14, after deadly attacks by the Boko Haram on schools in neighboring Yobe.

Dr Mohammed Dongel, the chairman of the 19-man committee on the resuscitation of primary school education in the state, told NAN in Maiduguri that measures to safeguard the schools had been adopted.

He also said the government had taken extra measures to encourage pupils to return and ensure friendly atmosphere for teaching and learning.

“All things being equal, public schools will reopen for classes on Nov. 17.

“Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno has already approved the procurement of chemicals for the fumigation of the schools against reptiles and other rodents ahead of the reopening,” he said.

Dongel, however, said only primary schools would be reopened, while secondary schools would remain close until the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in the schools were relocated.

According to him, the committee has introduced incentives to ensure that students return to school.

He said that government had also introduced new security measures to ensure safe environment for teaching and learning.

“We have introduced perimeter fencing in all public schools to ensure maximum security, we have also increased the number of security men in schools to ensure 24-hour surveillance.”