The first day of resumption for schools across the state yesterday recorded a mixed turnout, as some classrooms were filled with eager learners while others remained half-empty.
At St. It’s Girls Grammar School Sapele, teachers resumed fully, but attendance from students was patchy. “Out of my 35 students, only 17 showed up today,” said Mrs. Osakwe, a senior secondary school teacher. “It’s not unusual. Many parents wait until the second week before sending their children.”
Parents who kept their wards at home cited finances and preparation as reasons. “We just bought uniforms and textbooks last term. Adding school fees now is a lot,” said Mr. Uduak, a trader at Amukpe Market. “My daughter will resume next week when we sort ourselves out.”
Some parents, however, insisted their children must start on day one. “Resumption is resumption,” said Mrs. Okolie, a civil servant. “If you delay, your child misses out on revision, new timetables and early lessons. I don’t want mine to play catch-up.”
Teachers also expressed concern about the latecomers. “First week is when we set the tone—discipline, timetables, and assignments,” explained Mr. Etaga, a primary school head teacher. “Students who stroll in next week will struggle.”
Students who resumed were excited to be back. “I missed my friends during the holiday,” said 13-year-old Sarah. “We already got homework today. It feels good to be back.” Another student, Kingsley, said he wished more of his classmates had turned up. “The class was too quiet.”
Education officers monitoring schools described the situation as “typical” but urged parents to act fast. “We appeal to parents not to delay,” said Mrs. Grace Erhabor, a supervisor. “The syllabus is packed, and every day counts.”
Across both public and private schools, the pattern was the same: teachers in their duty posts, some students already in uniform, and empty seats waiting to be filled.
As one principal in Ugborhen put it: “The serious ones have started already. The rest will join later, but by then the train will have moved.”
