2 months ago
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Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki
The Edo State Government has said that its recent postponement of the resumption date for private and public schools across the state was to protect children from the harsh effects of the current hike in the prices of petroleum products.
Recall that the state government had earlier on Saturday postponed school resumption from Monday, September 9, 2024, till further notice due to the tension caused by the recent hike in fuel prices and the challenges faced by parents and guardians.
It was however greeted with criticism as the opposition in the state, the All Progressives Congress, described the directive as political.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement on Tuesday, said the directive was part of the state government’s commitment to ensure the safety of children from all forms of dangers which may result from the situation.
He added that the directive was to keep the children safe in their various homes until the tension is relaxed, urging the public to remain vigilant and work in unity to maintain peace and stability in the state.
The statement partly read, “This decision is rooted in our deep commitment to protecting our children from all forms of danger including the possible consequences of the astronomical increase in the price of fuel as well as the concomitant increase in cost of living.
“We are also mindful of the intelligence report we received about the threats posed by the APC, who have reportedly imported and armed thugs that are causing mayhem across the state. Because the safety of our children is paramount we do not want to take any chances hence we are keeping our children in the safety of their homes until we defuse the situation shortly.
“The APC’s actions, including their reckless behaviour that has resulted in the shooting of innocent individuals, raise serious alarms. We believe that these actions are part of a desperate strategy to instigate a state of emergency and shift the blame onto the PDP. We also want to clarify that apart from the public holidays on Monday and Friday, we have implemented mechanisms to ensure that any learning loss during this extended period will be effectively addressed.
“Our commitment to our children’s education remains unwavering, and we will work diligently to regain any lost instructional time. Our priority is the safety and education of our children. We will continue to take necessary measures to protect our communities and ensure that our schools are safe environments for learning.”
