The Centre of Educational Support for Out-of-School Children, has strongly condemned the recent trend of school closures across several northern states in response to rising incidents of student abductions by insurgents and bandits.
While the security challenges in the region are undeniable, shutting down schools without any structured alternative for continued learning represents a severe betrayal of the region’s children — particularly the most vulnerable, who are already at high risk of falling permanently out of the education system.
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Recall that the Plateau and Katsina states have ordered the immediate closure of public schools following the rising incidents of students abductions.
This is contained in a statement by the Director General of CESOSC, Dr. Abubakar Isah Bakori, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Saturday.
“CESOSC acknowledges the difficult security landscape, but leadership requires courage — not retreat. School closures must never be the first option. They should be the absolute last resort and only with immediate and practical alternatives.
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“The alternatives such as temporary relocation of students to safer learning centres; increased deployment of security personnel around schools; community-based learning hubs for displaced pupils,” the statement said.
According to the statement, children should not pay the price for government failures —Every day a child is kept away from school deepens poverty, widens inequality, and strengthens the very forces that threaten our communities.
The CESOSC therefore called on northern governors to reopen closed schools with strengthened security measures; provide immediate alternative learning options for all affected students.
It further called on the Governors to develop a coordinated regional strategy for safe schooling, in collaboration with security agencies, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations.
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“The centre remains committed to supporting state governments in designing inclusive, practical solutions that safeguard children while ensuring uninterrupted access to education.
“Education is not only a right — it is the strongest weapon against insecurity. Abandoning it is not an option,” the statement said.
