As schools in Benue State reopen for the 2024/2025 academic session, both public and private schools in Otukpo Local Government Area of the State recorded low turnout of students.
Our Otukpo zonal correspondent who monitored the resumption in the area reports that in most of the schools visited, teachers were on ground but there was a low student turnout.
At Unique Nursery and Primary school, Otukpo, all the teachers resumed on the first day of resumption, but only few pupils were present at school.
Speaking in an interview with The Voice, the proprietor of the school, Chief Icha Adole, said the pupils had developed the habit of staying at home beyond the stipulated time for resumption.
“The idea of staying at home beyond the official holidays is common with most student, so the low turnout this first day of the second term is not new.
“However, in this particular case, I think the huge expenses incurred by parents during the Yuletide could also be a factor.
“This morning, I sent some of my staff with a vehicle to go on enlightenment campaign for parents to release their wards to resume back to school,” he said.
Similarly, at Ewulo college, Otukpo, the story was the same as teachers were ready to teach but the students were absent.
Reacting, the principal of the college, Mr Odeh Idda, condemned the attitude of students and parents, saying, “it is not good for the school system, especially, as the term is too short to be wasted.”
In his words: ” I call on my students to come to school and settle down to work, especially, as our teachers are ever ready to teach.”
However, at Muslim Community Secondary School, Otukpo, the turnout of students and teachers was impressive as both the teachers and students were resumed on the first day of the term for teaching and learning exercise.
The head of the school, Mr Mohammadu Hassan who was impressed at the level of turnout, urged those yet to return to school to do so as school work had already commenced in earnest.
Also, at Jesus College Otukpo, it was observed that a remarkable number of students resumed for the term.
The Vice Principal of the state, Mr John Ojobo said teaching and learning had since started.
Other schools visited including St Peter” Primary School , St Andrew’s Primary School, Central Primary School among others, recorded low turnout of pupils.
Speaking in an interview, the Area Education Officer for Otukpo LGA, Mr Benard Ogah, called on parents to release their children back to school as academic activities have commenced in full.
On his part, the Benue State Parent Teacher Association (PTA) chairman, Elder Ben Agbo, advised parents to encourage their children to ensure early resumption to school, saying that teachers were ready to teach.
“No more week of grace as the syllabus must be covered before the commencement of terminal examination.
“We wish to encourage the learners especially, those preparing for their WAEC/NECO and other external examinations to prepare ahead in order to come out with flying colours,” he said.
The PTA Chairman particularly advised guardians to always set aside their wards’ school fees to enable them go back to school on time upon resumption.
