The Edo State Government has announced a postponement of the 2024/2025 academic session for primary and secondary schools, citing the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of children.

This decision follows growing concerns about the current economic and political climate in the state.

In an official circular dated September 6, 2024, the State Ministry of Education communicated that the school resumption, initially scheduled for September 9, 2024, would be delayed until further notice.

The circular, signed by Ojo Akin-Lounge, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe, pointed to the difficulties arising from the recent spike in fuel prices as a significant reason for the delay.

Many parents and guardians are struggling with the increased cost of living, which has made it challenging to meet the demands of school resumption.

However, during a press briefing held in Benin City, Edo State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, emphasized that the primary reason for the postponement was to safeguard the children amidst rising security threats.

Nehikhare explained that intelligence reports had alerted the government to possible threats from armed thugs allegedly brought into the state by the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These thugs have reportedly been causing disturbances and violence in various parts of the state, heightening concerns about the safety of students traveling to and from school.

“This decision was made out of our deep commitment to ensuring the safety of our children,” Nehikhare stated.

“We are particularly concerned about the potential dangers that could arise due to the current economic strain caused by the substantial increase in fuel prices, as well as the general rise in the cost of living.

But beyond that, we have received reports of armed individuals, linked to the APC, who are instigating chaos and putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk.

We are not willing to take any chances with the safety of our children, so we believe it is best to keep them at home until the situation is resolved.”

Nehikhare went on to accuse the APC of deliberately escalating tensions within the state, alleging that their actions were part of a broader plan to create chaos and push for the declaration of a state of emergency.

According to him, innocent people have already been harmed, and the government’s decision to delay the academic resumption is a proactive measure to prevent further escalation.

He further reassured the public that the government is actively working to restore normalcy, and that any learning loss during this period will be addressed through special interventions once schools reopen.

“We understand the value of education and will do everything necessary to make up for the time lost.

Our commitment to ensuring that our children receive quality education remains firm, even in these difficult times.”

Nehikhare concluded by calling on the public to remain vigilant and cooperative in maintaining peace.

He urged citizens to avoid being drawn into any actions that could disrupt the stability of the state.

“We must work together to ensure that Edo remains peaceful and that our children can return to school in a safe environment.

The safety and future of our children are our top priorities, and we will not rest until we are confident that they are secure,” he added.

This development underscores the complex interplay between politics, security, and economic challenges in Edo State, where families are feeling the strain of recent fuel price hikes, and the government is grappling with maintaining law and order.

The state remains on high alert, with many hoping for a swift resolution to the current challenges so that students can resume their academic activities without further delay.