By Dayo Adesulu

PARENTS have reacted to the Federal Ministry of Education’s decision, compelling both public and private schools to remain open during February 14 and 28 elections. While few parents agreed with the decision of Federal Government, many parents exercised doubt over government’s decision to protect their children in school.

They argued that if after nine months, Nigerians are still expecting Chibok girls back, they cannot entrust the lives of their children to such government.

Would recall Monday that the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, stated at the end of an emergency meeting held with States Commissioners of Education and other stakeholders in education sector in Abuja that all schools should remain open.

Meanwhile, taking position with the Federal Government decision, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, an expert in security opined that whether during or non-election period, true security is absence of violence where wellness of the citizenry are guaranteed.

He said: ‘’The recent clamour in some quarters for school closure during the coming national elections is uncalled for, given the fact that the school system (most especially at the primary and secondary levels) has suffered elongated break at the beginning of the current academic session as a result of security against ebola virus.’’

According to him, if the school is still grappling with the shortfall in the number of weeks to spend in a session, asking for another school closure because of threat of electoral violence shows the nation is not mindful of educational quality.

He explained that if schools are closed because of perceived electoral violence, wrong signals would be sent to the learners and the world at large that the country is not capable of free and fair elections that will not be marred by violence adding, ‘’this is not good for the emotional development of young school children.’’

He, however frowned at the Minister of Education’s threat to sanction schools that flout his directive noting that such statement is a misdirected one. ‘’The fact remains that safe schooling is not guaranteed in some parts of the country due to insurgency. In such a place and its adjoining areas, schools should be closed to guide against electoral backlash that may occur because of the current security challenge.

In his contribution, Mr James Eni-Ibukun who has three children in the university said he will prefer his children stay with him during February elections because he cannot trust the security of the government.

His words: “From all indications, the security in the nation and the level of violence from every geopolitical zone call for a rethink. Before government can say that students should remain in their schools, they should have made provision for their security. Presently, there is no security in the nation and coupled with the drum of violence that some people are beating, suggesting either they make it or they mar it. That is why students should be home under their parents.

Manipulation of students

‘’On Wednesday, there was a political campaign in Surulere, and the way many of them are shouting, “Great Nigerian students”, that suggest that the students can be manipulated to do what they want to do.

It is common sense that they should release them and let them go to their homes during the elections.