From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students across the state, explaining that the continued closure of schools outside the Sokoto metropolis is in compliance with a Federal Government security directive.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Muhammad Ladan Ala, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Sokoto on Monday on the resumption of schools in the state.
Ala said only schools within the Sokoto metropolis are currently operating, while those outside the designated areas remain closed pending further directives.
According to him, the metropolis covers Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Kware, Dange-Shuni and Wamakko Local Government Areas.
“What we said is that schools within Sokoto metropolis are the ones that are in operation. Other schools that are not within Sokoto metropolis are still closed. We are awaiting directives from the top so that they can go ahead,” he said.
The commissioner said the Safe School Initiative was firmly established in the state, adding that the ministry had maintained regular engagement with security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police and Department of State Services (DSS).
He added that officials of the ministry had also participated in strategic meetings in Abuja aimed at strengthening security in schools.
Ala said the government was working with School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and vigilante groups to improve surveillance around schools, particularly for students commuting from surrounding villages.
“We are working with our SBMCs, PTAs and vigilante groups in the various local governments. We always tell them that they need to have coordinated visits to the schools and station vigilante personnel, particularly for those coming from the villages, so that in case there is any alarm, they will be there,” he said.
The commissioner stressed that although the state government had identified some local government areas as relatively safe, it was necessary to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on school closures.
“Security is more important than anything you are thinking about. It is only when you have security and peace that you will be able to go to your farms and schools,” he said.
Addressing concerns over feeding in boarding schools, Ala dismissed claims that principals were given money directly to feed students.
He explained that contractors appointed by the state government supply food to schools on a weekly rotational basis under the supervision of a committee established by the governor.
“There is no principal who is given any money. The money is paid to the contractors. The contractors are rotated among the schools so that you don’t become too used to the food,” he explained.
On students’ health, Ala said the ministry has a Health Coordinator and is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to tackle diphtheria and other diseases.
He said medicines were supplied to principals of girls’ schools last year, while the ministry’s monitoring and supervision exercise now covers 30 key performance indicators, including sanitation and hygiene.
The commissioner also said the state government had deployed free buses to transport students within and outside the metropolis.
“The buses are free of charge, within the town and outside. Every morning, we send them to bring students. By 2 o’clock, the buses convey them back to their respective villages or bus stops,” Ala said.
He reiterated that the government would continue to prioritise the safety, health and welfare of students while awaiting further security directives on the reopening of schools outside the metropolis.
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