The Kano State Government has decided against closing schools or delaying the resumption of academic activities despite the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in the state, saying the current situation does not justify keeping pupils and students away from classrooms.
According to the state Ministry of Health, schools will reopen as scheduled, with authorities instead urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant and ensure that children who develop symptoms associated with diphtheria receive prompt medical attention.
The decision comes as some other states have taken a more cautious approach to school resumption because of concerns over the spread of the disease. Plateau State, for example, has postponed its resumption plans amid its own concerns about the outbreak.
However, Kano authorities said their decision was based on the current situation in the state and the prevailing rate of diphtheria infections.
The spokesperson for the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilus Kofar-Naisa, confirmed that there would be no closure or postponement of school activities because of the outbreak.
Kofar-Naisa urged parents not to ignore symptoms in children and to take suspected cases to health facilities without delay.
Parents urged to monitor children
The ministry’s guidance places particular emphasis on early medical attention and preventing children with suspected symptoms from coming into contact with others.
Kofar-Naisa advised parents to closely observe their children and act quickly if signs of the disease emerge.
“Children showing symptoms should not be allowed to mix with others until they have received appropriate medical attention,” he said.
The advice is intended to reduce the possibility of suspected cases coming into contact with other pupils while awaiting medical assessment and treatment.
The spokesperson stressed that children displaying symptoms should be taken to a hospital or other appropriate health facility immediately rather than being allowed to continue normal activities.
Parents have therefore been encouraged to remain attentive to their children’s health as schools prepare to reopen, particularly because children will return to environments where they interact closely with classmates.
Kano rejects school shutdown
The state government’s position differs from that of neighbouring states that have chosen to postpone school resumption because of diphtheria concerns.
Kofar-Naisa acknowledged that some states had adopted temporary measures in response to their respective outbreaks, but said Kano would continue with its own resumption plans after considering the circumstances within the state.
He explained that the decision was linked to the current level and rate of diphtheria infections being recorded in Kano.
The government is consequently opting to keep schools operating while relying on vigilance, early treatment and measures to prevent symptomatic children from mixing with others.
The decision means parents will have an important role to play in the state’s approach to managing the outbreak as schools reopen.
Rather than keeping all pupils away from school, the government is urging families to identify possible cases quickly and seek medical care.
Children suspected of having the disease should remain away from other children until they have received appropriate medical attention and are medically cleared, according to the ministry’s guidance.
Government stresses prompt treatment
The Ministry of Health’s warning also highlights the importance of avoiding delays when symptoms appear.
Kofar-Naisa called on parents to ensure suspected cases are taken promptly to health facilities, rather than allowing children showing symptoms to remain at home without medical assessment or continue attending school.
He also urged families to maintain close observation of their children after school activities resume.
The government’s approach is based on continuing school activities while encouraging parents and communities to respond quickly to suspected infections.
For Kano, the immediate position remains that the diphtheria outbreak does not require a general suspension of academic activities.
Schools are therefore expected to resume according to the existing schedule, while parents are being asked to support efforts to limit transmission by keeping symptomatic children away from others and seeking appropriate medical care.
Kofar-Naisa reiterated that children who develop symptoms should not mix with other pupils until they have received medical attention.
The state government’s decision keeps Kano’s schools on course for scheduled resumption despite the outbreak, while placing greater emphasis on early identification, prompt treatment and preventing suspected cases from coming into contact with other children.
Diphtheria Outbreak: Kano Keeps Schools Open, Urges Parents to Isolate Suspected Cases
