The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has ruled out the closure of schools in Borno State despite persistent security threats and the recent abduction of schoolchildren, insisting that shutting down educational institutions would amount to surrendering to terrorists.
The National Publicity Secretary of the union, Comrade Yusuf Tom, disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday, stating that the union remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted teaching and learning across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Borno State NUT Chairman, Zali Garba, Tom said closing schools would only serve the interests of insurgents seeking to disrupt education and instill fear among communities.
“We did not order the closure of schools in Borno State. If you close schools, it is a victory for fear,” he said.
He stressed that the union would continue to encourage teachers to remain in their respective schools as part of efforts to frustrate the objectives of terrorists.
“Therefore, we will continue to encourage our teachers to teach in their respective schools as part of efforts to defeat the terrorists’ objective of seeing schools shut down. That is what we are advocating for; we are not calling for the closure of schools,” Tom added.
The union also announced plans for a nationwide rally aimed at drawing attention to the growing incidents of abductions affecting schools and communities across the country.
According to Tom, the protest will provide an opportunity for teachers to demand urgent government intervention and the unconditional release of pupils abducted from Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Education is part of human rights, but in recent times, the reverse has been the case. This is why we are organising this rally to make our voices heard and to demand the unconditional release of the learners of Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba,” he said.
“These children deserve their human rights. They deserve protection. We want the government to intensify efforts to rescue these children, as well as teachers and other colleagues affected in Borno and other states. The protest will take place nationwide, and we are in solidarity with that.”
