Zamfara State has seen the resumption of the 2023–2024 academic session, with the exception of 75 schools in high-risk areas that remain shut due to the prevalent fears of kidnappings and banditry.
The reopening of both public and private schools in the State comes shortly after the recent abduction of female students at the Federal University in Gusau, as well as construction workers.
These abductions, involving students from boarding and day schools, prompted the closure of most educational institutions.
Approximately 75 schools have not been reopened, primarily due to concerns about security, especially in rural communities.
The Commissioner of Education, Wadatau Madawaki, has stated that the state government is collaborating with security agencies to establish a well-coordinated security network aimed at safeguarding students and staff across the State.
He mentioned, “A security task force has been formed to assess the security situation in these troubled communities and determine improvements in security measures around schools located in red zones. This will enable the government to reopen these schools.”
Reports indicate that some schools have implemented security measures to ensure the safety of their students and staff.
Jamilu Hamisu, the principal of a private school in Gusau, the state capital, explained that proprietors of private schools are facing significant economic challenges and insecurity issues. These challenges have led to some parents transferring their children from private to public schools. Hamisu noted that his school alone has lost 16 pupils as a result of this trend.
A concerned parent, Ibrahim Mande, expressed his distress over the rising costs of books and transportation for his children to attend school, with no corresponding increase in income.
