Schools in Bayelsa State will remain closed for an additional one week due to the heavy flooding in the state.
News About Nigeria reports that several schools in the riverine state are still submerged, while others are being used as shelters for flood victims.
Speaking on the situation, the state government, through the Ministry of Education, announced the extension of the 2024 flood break by one week to allow flood water to recede.
The state government had earlier scheduled the schools to resume from the flood break on Monday, November 18, but had to shift it to next Monday, November 25.
The new date was disclosed in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Simon-Peter Okene.
In the statement, Okene revealed that the extension is to allow the water to recede and for school authorities to adequately prepare for resumption.
The statement reads in part: “The extension is due to the current flood situation observed in a significant number of school premises across the state. The government urges operators of private schools to adhere strictly to the 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.
“The government also empathizes with all Bayelsans affected by the flood in one way or another,” the statement concluded.
