Kaduna parents worry over safety as schools reopen

Following the announcement by Kaduna State government directing schools to reopen on Monday, September 27, 2021, parents have expressed mixed feelings even as schools across the state have complied with the directive.

Arewa Trust Weekly reports that schools in Kaduna State were in August directed to postpone resumption due to ongoing military operation in the North West to flush out and dissipate bandits.

Speaking with our correspondent, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, a resident of Kawo in Kaduna, whose children resumed school on Monday said she was worried about the safety of her kids now that school has resumed.

She said every parent was worried about the ongoing operation in some parts of the North West and the likelihood that bandits on the run may infiltrate border states and unleash harm on vulnerable targets such as schools.

Another parent, Esther John from Hayin Banki described the activities of bandits as worrisome. “Even with this threat to attack schools, I cannot deny my children going to school. On our part as parents, we need to be watchful of strangers and make sure children come back home in time after school hours,” she said.

Hassana Abdulrahman, a resident of Mando, advised schools to increase security and deploy the use of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) for proper monitoring of activities within and outside schools.

She urged government to redouble its efforts, and provide equipment for security agencies, to once and for all end the activities of bandits in the state and surrounding states.