Fuel Price Hike: Governor Obaseki Suspends School Resumption Indefinitely In Edo State

The Edo State government, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, has announced an indefinite postponement of the resumption of all schools in the state due to the recent increase in fuel prices.

In a memo issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe, on Saturday in Benin, the resumption date, which was originally set for September 9, has been deferred until further notice.

“The Edo State Government hereby announces that the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo State, initially scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, has been postponed until further notice,” Akin-Longe stated. 

Akin-Longe added, “This decision has been made in response to the rising tension and challenges resulting from the recent fuel price increase.”

The government advised parents, guardians, and caregivers to closely supervise their children and wards during this period of uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has criticised the government's decision on the indefinite suspension of school resumption date, calling it "costly political maneuvering."

The APC's Publicity Secretary in the state, Peter Uwadiae-Enosorogbe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) condemned the move, saying that the state government should not jeopardise children's education for political reasons.

Uwadiae-Enosorogbe said, “It’s unacceptable to sacrifice our children's education because of fuel price hikes,” adding, “Fuel prices have fluctuated before, and we should not allow this to disrupt the educational system.”

He pointed out that there has been no significant outcry from parents or protests regarding fuel prices affecting school attendance, making the government's decision seem illogical. 

He said “The state government has made a grave error. This decision is not in the best interest of the students, parents, or the educational system as a whole,” 

Uwadiae-Enosorogbe urged a reversal of the decision, noting that education in the state has already suffered under the previous PDP administration. 

He highlighted that recent results from the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) ranked Edo 26th, a sharp decline from its previous top positions. 

“How will the government compensate for the additional time students will miss from school? Meanwhile, parents have not complained about their ability to send their children to school,” he added.

Uwadiae-Enosorogbe then called on stakeholders to persuade the government to reopen schools, stressing that it was unreasonable to keep students at home when parents had already paid school fees and purchased textbooks.

According to him, “The children are eager to return to class, and the government should not use political strategies to hinder their education. This action is a mistake, and it serves no one’s interest.”