The resumption of primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa State has been postponed by another week due to ongoing severe flooding that has affected much of the region.
Initially set to resume on November 18, schools will now open on November 25, 2024, with the state government citing the need for floodwaters to recede.
The decision was announced by the state’s Ministry of Education after a thorough review of the situation across various school premises.
A significant number of schools in the predominantly riverine state remain submerged, while others are being used as temporary shelters by flood victims.
According to findings by the News Direct (NDV), many of the affected facilities have not been able to resume normal operations due to the lingering floodwaters.
Simon-Peter Okene, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, confirmed the resumption delay in an official circular issued over the weekend.
The circular emphasized that the extension was necessary to allow time for floodwaters to subside, ensuring the safety of students and staff upon their return to school.
“Flooding has taken a considerable toll on several schools in the state, and this delay will give time for water levels to recede,” Okene said.
He also noted that while the government had initially planned for schools to resume on November 18, the situation had worsened in the past week, prompting the need for a one-week extension.
The flooding, which has affected not just school infrastructure but also homes and businesses, is part of the broader environmental challenges facing Bayelsa State this year.
While previous years saw quicker receding of floodwaters, this year’s floods have been notably slower, raising concerns among local residents. Many are worried that the resumption date might be pushed back further if floodwaters fail to recede in time.
In response, Okene urged all school operators, particularly in the private sector, to comply with the state’s approved academic calendar, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety standards.
“Stakeholders in the education sector must remain vigilant and ensure that all school safety regulations, such as the cutting of overgrown grass and fumigation of school premises, are thoroughly conducted before resumption,” he added.
The state government has also extended its sympathies to all Bayelsans affected by the floods. “The government empathizes with all those impacted by the floods and assures them that support measures are in place,” Okene said.
He assured the public that efforts are ongoing to provide relief to those displaced by the floodwaters, while emphasizing the importance of keeping school environments safe for when students do return.
As residents continue to face the challenges posed by the floods, local authorities are hopeful that the weather will improve and that schools will be able to resume on the newly scheduled date.
However, the situation remains fluid, and further delays cannot be ruled out depending on the pace of the floodwater’s retreat.
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