Wave of students adoption: some Gombe schools still lack perimeter fencing
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Amidst spread of insecurity which has culminated into Kidnapping of school students in some parts of Nigeria, some schools in Gombe School are still lacking perimeter fencing.
Investigations conducted by our correspondent, shows that some of the fences of most of the schools visited have either fallen or not in existence especially for day schools.
Reacting on the security measures put in place by the State Government and Ministry of Education, Dauda Batari, who superintends the ministry as commissioner said alot was being done to improve the security within and around schools.
Commissioner Batari made this disclosure, while fielding answers on the how boarding students of Gombe Government Science Secondary School eloped the school to protest shortage of food and harassment by school authorities.
According to him, upon assumption of duty as commissioner government has improved the security architecture of the various boarding schools located across the 11 LGA’s of the state.
“Right from when I resumed from Ministry of Internal Security to Education. I have been to all of them (boarding schools) security has been improved to mitigate issues relating to security.
“We have also encouraged principals to be on red alert, as responsible managers of the schools,” Batari said.
He added, “Government is aware about the challenges. However, education can not be left to government alone. All of us have the responsibility including journalists.
“There was a time the media made a submission on Government Comprehensive School Dadinkowa, go and see how the school is now.
“There are challenges, but the means to address the challenges may not be sufficient. With what we are seeing of the current administration, see the structures, go to Doma and check go to all the boarding schools see the renovation. Go to Kaltungo and see what is happening, so gradually we will get somewhere.”
While bemoaning the protest dubbed food and harassment rally, the commissioner assured that protesters (students) would be punished once the committee set up by the Ministry submit findings indicting them.
“If the report confirms that they have done a wrong thing ofcourse they must be sanctioned. How can you leave school without permission, you came, you protested and talked to social media.
“I don’t know the recommendations and I don’t want to pre-empt but once we have documentary evidence that somebody has done something wrong we can not allow it go like that,” Batari said.
