Bauchi school closed down following revelation that students marry themselves in class

A school in Bauchi was recently closed down by the state government following revelations that the students marry themselves in the classrooms.

File photo of female students

According to reports, the Sa’adu Zungur Model primary and secondary school, was closed down on orders of the Bauchi state government, after it was discovered that most of the senior students were involved in secretly arranged marriages among themselves.

According to Daily Trust, the female students receive dowry of N500 from the male, and the marriage is conducted right there in the classrooms, with their classmates contributing money for 'refreshment'.

Despite the fact that the boys and the girls study in different classes, they have no difficulties conducting their marriages in school. The teachers' attention were drawn to the development when they stumbled upon a wedding between an SS2 boy and his girlfriend, in one of the classes.

Upon discovery, the issue was reported to the school principal, Malam Ahmed Zailani, who in turn took the matter to the Ministry of Education.

The order for the closure which was contained in a statement issued by Yakubu Adamu, the Special Assistant on Communication to the Bauchi state Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Education, Engineer Nuhu Gidado, said:

“I directed the immediate closure of the school on Friday, 10th March 2017 after being notified about the issue,” Gidado said, adding that a committee comprising all directors in the state Ministry of Education, the school authority, teachers as well as the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school had been constituted to investigate the matter."