Bayelsa govt halts school resumption as flood takes over communities

Primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa State will remain closed for an additional week due to widespread flooding.

According to findings by NDV, several schools across the riverine state are still submerged, while some are being used as temporary shelters for flood victims.

The delay in resumption comes as authorities assess the situation and consider the safety and well-being of students and staff.

Flood yet to ebb

The state government, through the Ministry of Education, weekend extended the 2024 flood break by one week, to allow flood water that took over most schools in the state to recede.

Recall that the state government had earlier scheduled the schools to resume from flood break on Monday, November 18, but had to shift it to next Monday, November 25.

Although the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Education, Simon-Peter Okene, in a circular said a new date had been fixed for resumption of public, private secondary and primary schools.

Some residents are worried that the new resumption date may again be shifted if the floods persist due to its slowness in rolling back as against that of last year that was swift.

Okene said: “The extension time is as a result of the current flood situation observed in a reasonable number of school premises across the state.

Massive fumigation

“Government wishes to charge operators of schools in the private sector to adhere strictly to officially approved school calendar in the state. Stakeholders in the education sector should remain vigilant and ensure that all school safety regulations including cutting of grasses and fumigation of school premises and buildings, are carried out before resumption.

“Also, the government wishes to empathise with all Bayelsans who have been affected in one way or the other by flood,” he said.

Late overflow

Over the last few weeks, communities on the banks of the major rivers including the River Niger, River Forcados, River Nun, the Orashi river and other inlets, witnessed late surge in the water level when many thought they had escaped this year’s overflow leaving thousands of families displaced.

Some of the affected areas include Biseni Kingdom where some of the displaced natives are taking refuge on bridge and oil locations, Tombs community and parts of Epie Kingdom in Yenagoa LGA, Adagbabiri in Sagbama LGA, Sampou in Kolokuma-Opokuma LGA and some communities in Ogbia LGA, among others.