Confusion occasioned by misinformation has marred the resumption of several unity schools across Nigeria for the second term of the 2024/2025 academic session.
The Federal Government Colleges had in December 2024 when they vacated for the yuletide and New Year celebrations informed students and parents that school would resume on January 5, 2025. However, a circular that purportedly emanated from the Federal Ministry of Education on December 30, 2024 announced that the school resumption had been postponed to January 12, 2025.
The circular with reference no, SAF/27/DSSE/US/GMC.I/1/2 and addressed to “All Principals, Federal Unity Colleges,” and titled, “Extension of Resumption Date of 112 Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs)” reads:
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“I write to inform you that the Honourable Minister of State for Education has approved the extension 0f the resumption date for the 2nd term of the 2024/2025 Academic Session of the FUCs from 5th January , 2025 to Sunday, 12th January. 2025.
“The extension is due to the ongoing renovation works in most of the FUCs.
“Please, accept the assurances of my warm regards.
The circular was purportedly signed by “Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary” of the Federal Ministry of Education.
In adherence to the above quoted circular which had already gone viral on the internet, several parents and students alike made adjustments to their resumption plans. The situation became even more confusing as some parents who contacted the schools were told to disregard the circular as it was “fake.”
However, despite the dismissal of the circular by the management of the schools, there was no official rebuttal from either the ministry or the office of the Permanent Secretary.
FACTSHEET checks revealed that the confusion affected most of the Unity schools as there was low turnout of students on Sunday January 5, 2025 the original resumption date.
Some parents who spoke to FACTSHEET expressed disappointment on the poor management of information by both the Federal Ministry of Education and the management of the unity schools.
