Teachers, others want schools closed for polls

 

Stakeholders in the education sector have canvassed a two-week break in academic activities to allow pupils stay at home during the forthcoming elections.

They made this call on Monday, citing heightened apprehension and possible outbreak of post-election violence.

According to the elections timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the presidential and the National Assembly elections hold on February 14 while the governorship and the State Assembly elections follow on February 21.

National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Michael Alogba, told our correspondent on Monday that schools should be re-opened only after the results have been declared.

“The way and manner the campaign has been going is fearful and scary to say the least. I believe boarding schools, especially, should be shut. It is safer because we have been hearing threats that if candidate A or candidate B does not win, it would lead to this and that. Parents should not play with the lives of their children,’’ he said.

Similarly, the National Secretary, All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Mr. Kevin Nwankwo, said a two-week break in academic activities would be desirable.

“Everybody is apprehensive and these pupils are also from a home. I think schools should be shut for at least two weeks, especially with the tension and apprehension in the country. Everybody is apprehensive, are you not?’’ he asked.

While calling on all stakeholders to put the safety of school pupils first, the National President, National Parents/Teachers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Haruna Danjuma, also expressed fears over the forthcoming polls.

“I have just finished discussing with the NUT and we support school closure for two weeks. Nobody knows what will be the outcome of the elections and there are some senior pupils who are over 18 years old. I think they should be allowed to go home and vote,’’ he said.