A response has been issued to Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Governor of Ebonyi State, following the decision to shut down schools in Amasiri amid ongoing security concerns.
While the relaxation of the curfew is welcomed, the indefinite closure of schools has sparked concern about the place of education during crises.
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Protecting lives in Amasiri and Okporojo is undeniably vital, but critics argue that suspending learning sends the wrong signal — that schooling is secondary when communities face instability.
Education, they say, should be preserved as a stabilizing force. Schools provide structure, keep young people safe and engaged, and help shield them from the risks that often accompany unrest.
An open-ended shutdown, without a clear timeline, risks derailing academic calendars and widening inequality, particularly for students preparing for key examinations such as those conducted by WAEC, NECO, and JAMB.
The argument put forward is that leadership in times of crisis must balance security with safeguarding the future.
Rather than closing schools entirely, authorities are urged to explore alternatives, enhanced security presence, monitored schedules, and community engagement, to ensure learning continues safely.
The appeal concludes with a call on the Ebonyi State Government to reconsider the blanket closure, emphasizing that education is a fundamental right and warning that when learning stops, progress stalls with it.