Academic activities have resumed in full force at the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, where Boko Haram insurgents abducted 110 schoolgirls on February 19.
The school’s head teacher, Hajiya Adama Abdulkarim, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Dapchi that at least 80 per cent of the pupils and teachers had resumed.
She said: “More than 80 per cent of the pupils have resumed, likewise the teachers. Almost all of them are around except very few who are away for one or more official reasons.
“School activities are moving smoothly as they were before the ugly incident.”
Mrs Abdulkarim said the school had taken some measures to reduce the pupils’ trauma for effective learning.
She said: “Before the incident, there were no matrons in the school. But now, with the help of the local government and permission of the Ministry of Education, we have been able to source for six elderly women.
“We instructed the matrons to always be around, especially in the hostels, after class hours, to comfort and encourage the pupils.
“On the side of the government, personnel of the military, police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have been around the school at all times.”
The head teacher told NAN that the state government had created admission spaces in the school for 700 pupils in the next academic session.
“By the grace of God, the incident will not happen again,” she said.
She urged governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and public-spirited individuals to assist the school.
“The school needs to be rehabilitated with essential facilities that will attract parents to bring their children to learn and actualise their dreams,” Mrs Abdulkarim said.
A pupil, Miss Aisha Kolo, told NAN that her colleagues were being well taken care of.
She urged other pupils yet to resume as result of the abduction to return.
Miss Kolo prayed that such an incident would not happen anymore.
The insurgents released the abducted 110 students a month later with the exception of Miss Leah Sharibu and five other pupils who died in captivity.
They reportedly held Sharibu back for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.