The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools as part of measures to contain suspected cases of diphtheria in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, announced the directive in a statement on Saturday, saying the closure would take effect from Monday, September 7.
The government said the measure followed the reporting of suspected diphtheria cases in Jos North, Wase, Jos South, and Bassa Local Government Areas.
Schools that have resumed academic activities are required to close from Monday and remain shut until further notice, the statement said.
The government directed school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents and guardians to comply with the order and ensure that pupils and students remain at home during the period.
It said the measure was intended to protect pupils, students, teaching and non-teaching staff while health authorities assess and respond to the outbreak.
The government said further information on the resumption of academic activities would be communicated to the public.
