The Adamawa state government has ordered the immediate closure of all public and private schools following the outbreak of measles that have already claimed the lives of children in the state.
The decision was announced on Monday and aims to mitigate the spread of the disease and enable the state primary health care development agency (PHCDA) to vaccinate the vulnerable age group.
In a statement signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry of education and human capital development, Aisha Umar, the ministry rescheduled the school resumption date to Monday, May 13, 2024.
The statement further directed all public and private schools to comply with the directive.
The circular read “The resumption date for the third term 2023/2024 academic session earlier scheduled to be 6th May, 2024 has been postponed to next week 13th May 2024 due to outbreak of measles in some LGAs in the State.
“This is to mitigate the spread of the disease, and to enable the Primary Health Care Agency vaccinate the age group of children that are vulnerable to the disease.
“In view of the above, all public and private schools are hereby directed to close down schools accordingly, please.
“We regret any inconvenience this circular must have caused the schools, parents/guardians and the students.”
Since the outbreak has already claimed the lives of 42 children in the state, the government says it is taking the necessary measures to contain the disease and prevent further casualties.
