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, due to reports of suspected diphtheria cases in some parts of the state.
The decision was taken by the state government as a precautionary step to prevent the possible spread of the disease among pupils, students, teachers and other school workers.
The suspected cases were recorded in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas, raising concerns over the potential spread of diphtheria within affected communities and beyond.
The directive was issued under the administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as the government moves to contain the situation and protect residents, particularly children who may be exposed to the infection through close contact.
The government said the closure applies to both public and privately owned schools.
Schools that had already resumed academic activities are also expected to stop operations from Monday and remain closed until the state government gives further instructions.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announced the directive in a statement issued on Saturday.
School owners, administrators and teachers have been directed to comply with the order and ensure that pupils and students remain at home throughout the period of closure.
Parents and guardians are also expected to keep their children at home and follow further instructions from the government and relevant health authorities as efforts continue to monitor the suspected cases.
The state government said the temporary closure was necessary to reduce the chances of transmission within schools, where students and staff regularly gather in large numbers.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring developments in the affected local government areas and take further steps based on the situation.
The government also called on residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with measures introduced to protect public health and prevent the suspected outbreak from spreading to more communities.
The closure will remain in place until the government announces when schools can safely resume academic activities.
