Parents, pupils and teachers across Kwara State are preparing for a fresh start in the new academic year as government authorities confirm that schools will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty due to heightened security concerns in parts of the state and is aimed at balancing the urgent need for education with the safety of learners and staff.
The directive, issued by the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, covers all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state. Nearly all school communities will be expected to return to classrooms next week, with a few exceptions in localities where special security measures remain in force.
Education officials stress that this phased approach is designed to protect pupils and teachers while security agencies continue their operations in vulnerable areas. The move signals a cautious but hopeful return to normal schooling for many families in the state following months of concern over safety challenges affecting communities.
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Kwara State Structure Reopening to Protect Learners
In a statement released on Sunday, the Press Secretary of the Ministry, Peter Amogbonjaye, explained that the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Oloriegbe, ordered that academic activities resume next Monday in all areas that are not under special security surveillance.
“We welcome our children and teachers back to school across the state. Learning activities are to resume immediately in all but areas earlier identified to be under special security surveillance,” Oloriegbe said in the statement.
Authorities emphasise that protecting pupils from harm remains a top priority. Where security risks persist, schools will stay closed until it is safe for students and staff to return. This decision reflects ongoing efforts by the state government to respond sensitively to the realities faced by families and educators.
Officials also reiterated that full academic programmes will resume promptly once conditions improve in affected communities. The collaborative strategy between the education ministry, the Teaching Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board is intended to ensure that resumption plans are carefully coordinated and communicated.
Radio-Based Learning to Bridge Gaps
To support learning, especially in areas where schools remain closed, the ministry has launched a radio-based educational initiative in partnership with UNICEF and the Nigeria Learning Passport. The programme will begin airing on Midland FM 99.1 from Monday, January 5, at scheduled times during the week.
These broadcasts are designed to help pupils stay engaged with lessons even if they cannot immediately return to classrooms. Initial broadcasts are set for Mondays at 11 a.m., Wednesdays at 1 p.m., and Fridays at 2:30 p.m. There are plans to expand the service to additional radio stations to reach learners across the state.
Educators and parents alike have welcomed this innovative measure. Many see it as a practical way to ensure continuity of learning at a time when security challenges still limit full access to traditional schooling in some communities.
Safety First in Unstable Areas in Kwara State
The phased reopening follows a period of intense concern in parts of Kwara State where banditry and other insecurity issues have disrupted daily life. Last November, authorities ordered the closure of schools in several local government areas as part of efforts to safeguard pupils.
At that time, schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun and Ekiti were closed amid a renewed security sweep by government forces working to quell threats to communities in the southern part of the state. These closures demonstrated the fragility of the situation and the need to prioritise safety before allowing a full return to normal schooling.
Security analysts say that while there have been improvements, caution remains essential. By excluding high-risk areas from this week’s resumption order, the state government hopes to reduce the exposure of young learners to harm while still giving others the chance to continue their education without further delay.
Parents in affected areas are being kept informed and reassured that schools will reopen there as soon as it is safe. Local leaders and security officials are working together to monitor developments so that children’s educational progress is not unduly interrupted.
A New Academic Year Begins with Hope
The message from the education ministry also extended New Year greetings to pupils, teachers and guardians, encouraging them to make the most of the fresh start that January brings. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the resumption of classes will usher in a productive and successful academic session for students across Kwara State.
Many parents have responded positively to the news, sharing relief that their children will soon be back in school after weeks of waiting. Some families, particularly those in areas far from security hotspots, expressed confidence that the return to classrooms will restore a sense of normalcy and progress for their children’s studies.
Teachers have also begun preparations to welcome learners back. School administrators are organising classrooms, reviewing lesson plans and making sure that health and safety measures are in place ahead of Monday’s resumption. There is a strong sense that, despite challenges, the academic rhythm of the state is regaining momentum.
As Kwara State schools reopen on Monday, many eyes will be on how the process unfolds. While there are still security concerns in some quarters, the combination of classroom return and adaptive learning options such as radio lessons is expected to support students in resuming their educational journeys with resilience and determination.
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