Delta State, Nigeria, has announced the resumption dates for public and private primary and secondary schools for the 2024/2025 academic year. All schools across the state are set to reopen on Monday, September 9, 2024. However, schools in Oshimili South Local Government Area will have a delayed start, resuming instead on September 23, 2024.
The announcement was made by Augustine Oghoro, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, on behalf of the state’s commissioners for Primary and Secondary Education, Kingsley Ashibogwu and Rose Ezewu.
The reason for the delay in Oshimili South is due to the 8th edition of the National Youth Games, which will be hosted in Asaba from September 9 to September 19, 2024. Several schools in Asaba, including West End Mixed Secondary School and Government Model Secondary School, have been designated as venues for the games and will also serve as accommodation for participants.
For schools outside of Asaba, classes will begin on the initial resumption date of September 9, 2024, after students clean their classrooms and school premises under the supervision of their teachers. In contrast, students in Asaba will have to wait until September 23 to resume their studies.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has urged all school heads and teachers to comply with this directive and ensure they are present at their duty posts to fulfill their responsibilities. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to prepare their children for a smooth return to school.
In preparation for the new academic year, the Ministry plans to conduct resumption tests for students in public primary and secondary schools on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The results of these tests will be included in the students’ assessment records.
The statement from the Ministry emphasized that any non-compliance by teachers with this directive would not be tolerated. The two commissioners, along with the Permanent Secretary, will oversee compliance across the state to ensure that all schools adhere to the established resumption dates.
This proactive approach by the Delta State government aims to ensure a smooth start to the academic year while accommodating the needs of the National Youth Games. It reflects a commitment to both educational advancement and community engagement through sports.
The new academic year will begin with important adjustments in response to significant events in the state, highlighting the government’s efforts to balance educational priorities with community activities. As the resumption dates approach, parents, students, and educators are encouraged to stay informed and ready for the upcoming school year.
