Teachers, students return to classrooms as FCTA monitors schools resumption in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

Academic activities for the second term of the 2025/2026 session officially commenced across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, marked by a significant turnout of students and teachers.

This was the situation at  Government Secondary School (GSS), Junior Secondary School (JSS), both in Apo Resettlement, Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa Maitama, and JSS Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

At GSS Apo Resettlement, out of 1,158 school population, total number of students on the first day of resumption were 405.

During a routine inspection of schools to monitor compliance, Mrs. Joy Okeke, Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Education Secretariat, praised the “massive” turnout of students and pupils.

Speaking on behalf of Dr. Danlami Hayyo, FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Okeke attributed the high attendance and readiness to learn to the conducive environment provided by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

“The turnout is very impressive; it shows that the children are ready to learn,” Okeke stated during a visit to Government Secondary School (GSS) Apo.

She adds: “The Honorable Minister has made the school environment conducive. I have advised the students to be attentive and the teachers to remain punctual and committed.”

She reiterated that the FCTA Education Secretariat continues to encourage a collaborative spirit between staff and students to ensure a successful 2026 academic year.

At Government Science Secondary  School, Maitama, students expressed enthusiasm about the swift start to the term.

Adishokun Oluwashimilore, an SS3 student, noted that the clean environment was already enhancing their learning experience.

“We have started learning already; we are in a Physics class right now. I am impressed with the teachers’ commitment,” he said.

Similarly, Ogechukwu Victory, shared similar sentiments after her first Mathematics lesson of the year.

“The environment is very conducive and full of excitement,” she noted, while urging absent peers to return immediately.

She adds: “When you come early, classes start immediately, and it helps us go further in our studies.”

Also, speaking on managing the logistics of the resumption, Suzie Wamandogo, Vice-Principal Admin of GSS Maitama, revealed that boarding students had returned as early as Sunday, January 4.

Despite the recent New Year festivities, she confirmed that approximately 471 students had already settled in.

“It is not easy, being the first week of the year and following the celebrations, but we are surprised to see so many parents brought their children back.

“All our teachers returned yesterday to receive the students and are currently in the classrooms”, Wamandogo said.

Meanwhile, it was observed that most of the Private schools visited were almost empty, as they are yet to resume activities for the term.

And when the inspection team visited the Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, the school Principal, Mr. Henry Essang explained that although it has resumed with teachers on ground the first day, but its students are expected to fully resume on Wednesday, 7th January.

“The school has resumed, but our students are to come in on the 7th of this month. Because our experience has been that they don’t come to school.

“ So that’s why we moved it to 7th instead of any other time. And we have made it mandatory for them to come to school on the 7th.

“ Also, a couple of parents have written in that they are not in town, they have travelled and all that”, he stated.