Schools in parts of northern Nigeria began reopening on Monday, two months after mass student abductions forced widespread closures.
While the federal government has cited enhanced security measures for the restart, the mood on the ground is a mix of hope and apprehension.
In Kaduna State, some students returned to their boarding schools, with parents expressing that while education is a right, the government bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring their children’s safety.
The decision was not uniform, however, as officials in Niger State—where over 300 students and staff were taken in November—have kept most schools closed, stating that the security situation remains too volatile and that the safety of students and teachers is paramount.
