The Benue State Government has released alarming statistics of over 500,000 drop in school enrolment since intense fighting broke out in 2012 between farmers and herdsmen in six local government areas of the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Benue, Mr Philip Tachin, released the figure in Guma Local Government Area when Governor Samuel Ortom flagged-off the state public school enrolment campaign.

Governor Ortom while flagging off the enrolment campaign tagged, “Our Schools Shall Rise Again” urged Benue indigenes to be weary of the constant crisis and report any suspicious movement of persons in large numbers to forestall break down of law and other.

A match pass and presentation of learning materials to students were part of the activities to flag-off of the school enrolment programme.

Such activity has never been held in Guma, Agatu and other local governments which have come under attack from herdsmen in the last Four years.

Public schools and Primary health care centres were all destroyed by rampaging herdsmen along with residential houses with tales of horror and brutal murder, leaving school age children homeless and internally displaced.

The State Government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board, is investing over 7.6 billion Naira into the education sector to encourage more enrolment, hence the need for this campaign.

In their speeches, representative of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Governor, encouraged parents and local education authority to drive the campaign through rural community with the symbolic presentation of flags to council chairman for that purpose.

With the flag-off of the school enrolment campaign in Guma Local Government Area, which has the highest number of out of school children, stakeholders in the education sector will do well to support the campaign. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Governor Ortom.

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