Academic activities for the second term of the 2025/2026 session commenced across public schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday with a significant turnout of students and teachers.
This was observed at Government Secondary School (GSS) Apo Resettlement, Junior Secondary School (JSS) Apo Resettlement, Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa Maitama, and JSS Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, where teaching and learning began promptly.
At GSS Apo Resettlement, out of a total school population of 1,158 students, 405 students were present on the first day of resumption.
During a routine inspection to monitor compliance and readiness, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Education Secretariat, Mrs. Joy Okeke, commended the “massive” turnout of students and pupils across the schools visited.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Okeke attributed the high attendance and preparedness to the conducive learning environment provided by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“The turnout is very impressive; it shows that the children are ready to learn,” Okeke said during a visit to GSS Apo Resettlement.
She added that the improved school environment was a direct result of the minister’s interventions, while urging students to remain focused and teachers to sustain punctuality and commitment.
“The Honourable Minister has made the school environment conducive. I have advised the students to be attentive and the teachers to remain punctual and committed,” she stated.
Okeke further reiterated that the FCTA Education Secretariat would continue to promote collaboration between staff and students to ensure a successful 2026 academic year.
At Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, students expressed excitement over the commencement of academic activities. An SS3 student, Adishokun Oluwashimilore, said the clean and orderly environment had already enhanced learning.
“We have started learning already; we are in a Physics class right now. I am impressed with the teachers’ commitment,” he said.
Another student, Ogechukwu Victory, who had just completed her first Mathematics lesson of the term, described the atmosphere as stimulating and encouraging. She urged her absent peers to return to school without delay.
“The environment is very conducive and full of excitement. When you come early, classes start immediately, and it helps us go further in our studies,” she said.
Speaking on the logistics of the resumption, the Vice-Principal (Administration) of GSS Maitama, Mrs. Suzie Wamandogo, disclosed that boarding students resumed as early as Sunday, January 4.
Despite the New Year celebrations, she confirmed that about 471 students had already settled into the school.
“It is not easy, being the first week of the year and following the celebrations, but we are surprised to see so many parents bringing their children back,” Wamandogo said.
She added that all teachers had returned on Sunday to receive the students and were already actively engaged in classroom activities.
However, the inspection team observed low activity levels in most private schools visited, as many were yet to commence full academic activities for the term.
At Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, the school’s Principal, Mr. Henry Essang, explained that although teachers resumed on Monday, students were scheduled to return fully on Wednesday, January 7.
“The school has resumed, but our students are to come in on the 7th of this month. From experience, students don’t usually come early, which is why we fixed it for the 7th and made it mandatory,” Essang said.
He added that some parents had written to the school to explain that they were still out of town due to travel arrangements following the holidays.
Leave a Comment