Public and private primary and secondary schools across Lagos State resumed today for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session, marking a return to routine after the festive holidays.
However, the familiar bustle of the first school day was accompanied by significant concerns from parents regarding security and the financial burden of a new term.
Following a month-long holiday, parents were seen escorting their children to school gates. Yet, the peace of mind that comes with students returning to class was tempered by heightened anxiety over safety. Speaking with AdamimogoFM Nigeria parents Adekunle Adewunmi and Tosin Oyewole urged the government to be proactive in ensuring the security of students. “The government needs to do more to secure our schools and protect our children,” Adewunmi stated.
Echoing the call for safety, another parent, Jumoke Omotosho, appealed directly to school authorities to collaborate closely with security agencies. She also advised fellow parents to prepare their children for the current unpredictable weather conditions. “Security is a partnership, and we must also kit our children properly for this weather,” Omotosho said.
Beyond security, the financial pressure of resumption weighed heavily on many families. Another Parent, Monikanola Ogidan expressed concerns over the costs of new textbooks and supplies, calling for the government to enforce policies promoting textbook reuse and even suggesting the cancellation of costly end-of-year parties to ease the burden.
“The purchases for a new term are overwhelming. We need policies that reduce this pressure,” Ogidan noted.
Despite these challenges, some parents indicated they had planned ahead. They reported making financial preparations during the yuletide and were implementing personal security measures, such as arranging dedicated transportation, to safeguard their children.
On the part of school authorities, efforts are being doubled to address these dual concerns. Taiwo Olamide, a teacher at a private school in Lagos, explained that institutions are focusing on instilling core values like hard work, creativity, and discipline while simultaneously strengthening security protocols. “We are vigilant and only employ verified personnel. Our focus is on a safe and productive term,” Olamide stated.
This community-wide vigilance follows recent cases of mass school kidnappings that have triggered nationwide concern. In response, Lagos State authorities have confirmed that monitoring teams have been deployed to schools across the metropolis to ensure strict compliance with safety and public health protocols, aiming to protect both students and staff.
