Why Kaduna extended basic education resumption date to 24 Sept

by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Kaduna State Government had recently extended resumption date for both public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state, from 4^th-24th September 2023, causing hews and cries among parents and school owners.

Quite a number of parents and school proprietors have complained bitterly against the action, saying, reason for the postponement, of the first term 2023/2024 academic session to September 24th for resumption, was lacking.

However, when our correspondent sought for answer on reasons for the extension of both public and private schools date, spokesman of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Muhammed Shehu, said the decision for the extension came from the state ministry of education. 

He further explained that the postponement was to enable government complete works, as many of the schools were undergoing renovations, adding that private schools were involved to ensure uniformity of academic session.

“There are many schools undergoing renovations. The reason private schools were included was to ensure uniformity,” he stated.

Kaduna State Government had early in the month of September, announced the extension of the resumption date of all primary and post-primary educations in the state.

The reasons advanced for extension of the date of resumption were, however, not clear to many, especially private schools proprietors, as some were skeptical and suspicious of insecurity.

A release issued stated that all public and private schools in Kaduna State were to resume on September 24th for First-term of the 2023/2024 Academic Session instead of 4th September earlier scheduled.

A circular titled, “Adjustment of Schools Resumption Date 24th September 2023,” signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Haliru Musa Soba, was sent to all principals in both public and private schools as well as other stakeholders.

Dr. Haliru Musa Soba, in the circular, advised all school administrators, proprietors, parents, guardians and all other stakeholders “to take note of the adjusted new academic session.”

A proprietor, who pleaded anonymity, expressed bicker when contacted for his reactions, and lamented that the extension, which did not come with any cogent reasons, would surely affect the quality academics program of the students against their counterparts in other states.