Resumption date for Primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa State has been shifted due to extensive flooding.
Findings revealed that several schools in the predominantly riverine state are still under water while others are being occupied by those affected by flood.
The state government, through the Ministry of Education, weekend extended the 2024 flood break by one week, to allow flood water that took over most schools in the state to recede.
Recall that the state government had earlier scheduled the schools to resume from flood break on Monday, November 18, but had to shift it to next Monday, November 25.
Although the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Education, Simon-Peter Okene, in a circular said a new date had been fixed for resumption of public, private secondary and primary schools.
Some residents are worried that the new resumption date may again be shifted if the floods persist due to its slowness in rolling back as against that of last year that was swift.
Okene said: “The extension time is as a result of the current flood situation observed in a reasonable number of school premises across the state.
“Government wishes to charge operators of schools in the private sector to adhere strictly to officially approved school calendar in the state. Stakeholders in the education sector should remain vigilant and ensure that all school safety regulations including cutting of grasses and fumigation of school premises and buildings, are carried out before resumption.
“Also, the government wishes to empathise with all Bayelsans who have been affected in one way or the other by flood.”