Primary and secondary schools in Edo State, both public and private, resumed the 2024/2025 academic session on September 30, a resumption that was supposed to be on September 9. This was partially so because of the governorship election slated for September 21, which has come and gone peacefully, with some parents and education stakeholders dissatisfied with the delay.

In an interview with Miss Blessing, a primary school teacher in Truewill Academy in Benin City (a private school), when asked the reason for late resumption, said, “The delay was because of the increase in the price of fuel because of the removal of the fuel subsidy, which was earlier announced by the Federal Government”.

When asked on how they school intends to make up for the lost time due, she said, “The work is tight and since the holiday was extended, the school had to keep up with the curriculum by having compulsory extra lessons for the children and also giving them assignments”.

On whether the additional break was necessary, the teacher noted that although the Edo government was trying to protect the pupils from electionairing ‘thuggary’, but the additional three weeks were not needed because the cost of fuel did not reduce instead nearly doubled.

Also speaking with some teachers in Owina Primary School and Owegie Primary School in Benin City (both public schools), they said the real reasons for the late resumption were not made known to them as they are not permitted to give such information, indicating that the Ministry of Education knows the reasons. One asserted that her students were given enough assignments during the break and that she went to some of their houses to check up on them.

However, in an interview session with the headmaster of Goodwill Primary and Secondary Schools (a private school in Benin City), said the major reason was the increase in fuel price, and the attitude of some parents to resuming school on the first week is poor. As some have that mentality that the first week of resumption is only for environmental purposes and not for teaching and the lack of orientation and awareness of the public that first week of resumption is also important as every other school week.

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The economic factor is also a reason for the slow down in resumption because some parents do not have the resources to buy school materials for their children, like school fees and writing materials.

Since it was three extra weeks that were added to the summer holiday some schools may decide to follow the school curriculum or put extra one or two hour to the closing for learning activities, so as to catch up with the scheme of work, he said, but depends on the school dedication and the value of education in the school.

Asked if the extra break was necessary, he said, “Yes and No. Yes, because the teachers had time to rest and prepare their lesson notes and the children could also recuperate. ‘All work no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ Schools have also advanced by introducing online teaching classes and assignments are given”.

During this period, the Edo governorship election was h ield. Although, the government said it had nothing to do with election, but the government was also trying to protect the children because safety first before any other thing, even though some people believed it was due to the election.

Speaking with a parent, she said she was affected by the late return to school because her children were always playing and did not pay much attention to their books. But she is excited now that school has started.

Even with the late resumption teachers are putting in extra efforts to teach the children so that they will not feel the impact of the overdue break, as parents are not also left out of their own responsibilities.