The Government of Bauchi State, has closed down schools for the elections.
The government, on Thursday, declared a two-day break for all public schools ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Jamila Dahiru, during a news conference in Bauchi.
The commissioner further informed that there would also be a two-day break for all public schools in the state for the March 11 gubernatorial and the state House of Assembly elections.
According to Hajiya Dahiru, public schools in Bauchi State will be closed on Friday, 24th February and Monday, 27th February 2023, while academic activities resume on Tuesday, 28th February.
Similarly, the schools would not open on Friday, 10th March and Monday, 13th March 2023.
She, however, said the closure only affected day students, while boarding students would remain in their respective schools during closures.
“Students of day schools should remain at home on Friday, 24th, and Monday, 27th, February 2023, for the presidential elections, and school activities are to resume on Tuesday, 28th February 2023.
“For the gubernatorial elections, day students are to remain at home on Friday, 10th and Monday, 13th March 2023.
“School activities are to resume on Tuesday, 14th March, 2023 while all boarding school students are to remain in their respective schools during the break,” the commissioner informed.
According to her, the school closure was to enable public school teachers and parents actively participate in the general elections.
The commissioner added that the state government is aware that some public school students may travel with their parents to their respective local government areas to vote in the elections.
“We are also conscious of the fact that some of our teachers do participate in the electioneering and so we want to give them the opportunity to prepare ahead,” Dahiru added.
She, however, reiterated the state government’s commitment to not only the quality of education in the state but also to students’ welfare for the betterment of all.