By Ene Rebecca
September 5, 2026
The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state from Monday, September 7, following reports of suspected cases of diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the nose and throat, in four local government areas.
The affected areas are Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa, where suspected cases have raised concerns about the possible spread of the infectious disease within the communities.
The state government said the decision was a precautionary measure aimed at reducing the risk of transmission among pupils, students, teachers and other school personnel, particularly because schools bring large numbers of people into close contact.
The directive was announced on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, in a statement. It applies to both public and privately owned schools, including institutions that had already resumed academic activities.
School owners, administrators and teachers have been directed to comply with the closure and ensure that students remain at home. Parents and guardians have also been urged to keep their children at home and adhere to further guidance from the government and relevant health authorities.
The government said schools would remain closed until further instructions are issued on when it is safe to resume academic activities. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation in the affected local government areas and take additional measures as necessary.
The closure is part of efforts by the administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to contain the suspected cases and prevent a wider spread of the disease across the state.
Be the first to comment