The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has said shutting down schools in Borno State due to rising insecurity would amount to handing victory to terrorists seeking to disrupt education in the state.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the union, Comrade Yusuf Tom, maintained that the NUT had not directed the closure of schools and remained committed to ensuring that teaching and learning continue despite security challenges.
According to him, allowing schools to close would achieve the objectives of insurgents who want to deny children access to education.
“We have not ordered the closure of schools in Borno State. Closing schools because of insecurity would mean allowing fear to win. We will continue to encourage our teachers to remain committed to their duties and ensure that education continues despite the threats,” he said.
Tom explained that the union’s focus is not on shutting down schools but on demanding stronger government action to protect teachers, pupils, and educational institutions from attacks.
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He noted that the planned nationwide protest by teachers is aimed at drawing attention to the growing insecurity affecting schools and demanding the unconditional release of abducted teachers and students across the country.
The NUT spokesman specifically called for the release of pupils and staff of Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba, stressing that every child has a fundamental right to education and protection.
He urged the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue all abducted teachers and students in Borno State and other affected parts of the country.
Meanwhile, teachers across the federation were expected to participate in nationwide solidarity rallies organised by the NUT to protest the increasing cases of kidnappings targeting schools and education workers.
The demonstrations, scheduled to take place in all 36 state capitals, followed a directive issued by the national leadership of the union, calling on state chapters to mobilise members and draw attention to the worsening security situation in schools nationwide.