The Kaduna State Government announced yesterday that all elementary and secondary schools in the state will stay closed till the security situation improves.

Dr Shehu Muhammad, the Commissioner for Education, announced this at a joint press conference with Mr Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, in Kaduna.

The conference, according to Muhammad, was designed to refute rumors that schools would resume for the third term on August 9.

According to the commissioner, the state government on August 6 announced the postponement of school resumption till further notice as advised by security agencies.

“We were, however, surprised that for mischievous reasons, some individuals are circulating misguided information, claiming it was from the ministry, asking schools to resume.

“We want to categorically say that all schools – public, private and religious, including federal schools in the state – are to remain close.

“We will reopen as soon as we are advised to do so by security agencies, assuring us that schools are safe to open,” he said.

The commissioner advised all public and private schools, including federal government schools, to abide by the directive or face the wrath of the law

He said the closure was in the best interest of the pupils and students to ensure their safety, following series of attacks on schools by bandits and kidnappers.

On his part, Aruwan said that the closure of the schools was to secure the lives of pupils, students, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector.

He said that security agencies were currently carrying out operations against bandits to improve the security situation in the state.

“It is for this reason that the government was advised against opening so as not to endanger the life of students. The government is concerned for the safety of lives and property and will give clearance for the schools to reopen as soon as security improves,” he said.

Source: Vanguard News