The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has strongly criticized the state government’s decision to indefinitely postpone the resumption of schools, which was initially scheduled for September 9, 2024. The postponement was announced by Ojo Akin-Longe, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, through a memo. The reason given for the delay was the recent hike in fuel prices across the country.
However, the APC’s Publicity Secretary in Edo State, Peter Uwadiae-Enosorogbe, labeled the government’s decision as a “political gimmick,” suggesting that the move is more about politics than genuine concern for the people. He expressed surprise and disappointment that the government would prioritize political interests over the education of children.
Uwadiae-Enosorogbe argued that the increase in fuel prices should not be a reason to halt education. He pointed out that fuel price hikes are not new and that life, including education, has always continued despite these challenges. According to him, there have been no widespread protests or complaints from parents about the difficulty of getting their children to school because of the fuel price increase.
“This decision doesn’t make sense,” Uwadiae-Enosorogbe stated. “The government has made a mistake. This action is not in the best interest of the children, the parents, or the education system. The government needs to reconsider this decision.”
The APC spokesperson also criticized the state government’s overall handling of education, noting that Edo State’s recent performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has been poor. He mentioned that Edo State, which used to rank among the top in these exams, has now fallen to 26th place. He suggested that postponing the school resumption would only worsen the situation by further disrupting the academic calendar.
Uwadiae-Enosorogbe called on the government to reverse its decision and reopen schools as planned. He emphasized that parents have already paid school fees and purchased textbooks, and children are eager to return to classes. He also urged stakeholders in the state to speak out against the government’s decision, which he described as “illogical” and not in the interest of the public.
“The children are ready to learn, and the government should not use politics to stop them. This action is unnecessary, and it does not benefit anyone,” he said.
Uwadiae-Enosorogbe’s message was clear: the decision to delay school resumption is seen by the APC as a political move that harms the educational prospects of children in Edo State. The party is calling for a reversal of the decision to ensure that education in the state does not suffer further setbacks.
