| CORRECTION, CORRECTION, CORRECTION In the USA, school closings on holidays are decided by States, not the Federal Government. Of the 50 States and the Federal capital - Washington DC: - 10 States close their schools on Election days.
- 7 States live school closing decisions to schools with polling centers.
- The State of Illinois closes schools on election days in even number years.
- The State of Massachusetts does NOT have school closings on election days as a law. The State does however allow schools with polling stations to keep their students at home for security reasons on as-needed basis while the teachers come to school for Teacher Development trainings, etc.
--- On Mon, 1/10/11, Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID) <jbi8@cdc.gov> wrote:
From: Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID) <jbi8@cdc.gov>
Subject: NigerianID | SHUT DOWN SCHOOLS FOR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA ??
To: "IDentity Nigerian" <NigerianID@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: Participants.Group@mango.metrocast.net
Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 3:32 PM
QUIT MISREPRESENTING situations for hyperbolism! There is no iota of TRUTH in schools being closed for one month. Schools are scheduled to resume the middle of Jan 2011 and I believe we have read somewhere that the closure will be for 2 weeks which the the Minister of State has promised to make up. Where do you get your facts about schools closing for more than one month? Besides, security for the students during the exercise (which was also highlighted by the Nigerian Minister of State) is one of the reasons for school closure during voting or similar operation. As I said below, we have to be careful about misleading ourselves and other people, especially Nigeria. Many of us have greatly misled Nigeria and the Govt by making categorical statments that dont enjoy the REAL BASIC FACTS. WE should help Nigeria. Take care. JUI These schools closed for one day because of security concern. So in Nigeria, they are closing for more than one month because of what?
Pronto!!!
Idowu
"Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." --Thomas Jefferson
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." -- Elie Wiesel
From: "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" <jbi8@cdc.gov>
To: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; valojo@md.metrocast..net; NIgerianID@yahoogroups.com; NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; naijaintellects@googlegroups.com;naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com; nigerianid@yahoogroups.com; afenmai@yahoogroups.com; edo-nationality@yahoogroups.com; usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Cc: Participants.Group@mango.metrocast.net
Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 4:52:38 PM
Subject: [Naijaintellects] RE: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: SHUT DOWN SCHOOLS FOR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA ?? May be your categorical and absolute statements are applicable to the State you reside; Yes, schools DO CLOSE for elections or other State/County reason in many States in the US. I just posted one of such in 2008 US elections in the State of MA below. There are more if you Google the subject-matter. As you would find, security for the students during the exercise (which was also highlighted by the Nigerian Minister of State) is one of the reasons for school closure during voting or similar operation. We have to be careful about misleading ourselves and other people, especially Nigeria. Many of us have greatly misled Nigeria and the Govt by making categorical statments that dont enjoy the REAL BASIC FACTS. WE should help Nigeria. Take care. JUI Many schools closing on Election Day, citing security concerns. Officials concerned about security at polling places in school buildings Posted Nov 03, 2008 @ 03:36 AM BROCKTON, MA — Amanda Reed and Jessica Scarpati With many cities and towns using schools as voting sites, local school officials say they refuse to chance student safety when a record number of voters are expected to participate in the presidential election. But to salvage the day, many school administrators will use Tuesday to fulfill training requirements for faculty. State education requirements mandate that teachers complete 150 hours of training every five years to renew their licenses. “It made sense to plan professional development day on that day,” said Abington School Superintendent Peter G. Schafer. “It helps avoid confusion and school day interruption.” Few school officials in southeastern Massachusetts can forget the primary election in February, when a second-grader was struck by an SUV driven by elderly man leaving the polls at a Randolph elementary school. Britney Noel, 8, was critically injured with a fractured skull and internal injuries. She recovered and returned to school two months later. Randolph schools quickly announced they would close their schools for the November election. Many districts have followed their lead, including Rockland. Rockland School Superintendent John Retchless called the incident a “trigger” for his decision last spring to cancel school on Tuesday. In East Bridgewater, School Superintendent Margaret Strojny also said the district became “concerned about safety” in the wake of the Randolph incident. Although just one school in East Bridgewater is a polling location — the Gordon W. Mitchell Middle School — all schools in the district will be closed on Tuesday, she said. “I think one of the most telling examples of why it’s important to do this was that terrible tragedy,” said Gordon Luciano, chairman of the School Committee for Bridgewater-Raynham Regional Schools. Polls for those two towns are at Bridgewater Middle School, known by many as the old high school, for all Bridgewater voters, and at the Merrill Elementary School for two-thirds of Raynham voters. B-R has instituted the no-school policy on voting days for at least eight years — long before the Randolph incident. This year, Luciano said, it may be more useful than ever. “It works out well for staff as well because they won’t have that increased anxiety of what could be an 80 to 90 percent voter turnout,” he said. Meanwhile, Easton will delay opening its high school and middle school until 9:45 a.m., expecting voter turnout to be highest from 7:30-9 a.m.. There will be a school resource officer in the gym, where polls are, to secure the building, officials said. But not all districts in the region have deemed Election Day dangerous enough to close shop. Brockton will use a dozen of its schools for polling, maintaining its practice of keeping schools open, a district spokeswoman said. The district is “cognizant” of safety concerns but will have extra teachers and police on hand, said spokeswoman Jocelyn Meek. Error! Filename not specified. Ladies and gentlemen, in the USA, schools - public or private do NOT close for Elections! Churches are Community Centers are also used as polling centers. - If schools are used, citizens vote quietly while students learn as expected.
- Employers usually allow employees up-to one hour to go to the polls and vote.
- After voting you are issued a small sticker as proof that you voted. Some employers may want to see a proof that you actually voted.
- The various County Boards of Election recruit and train common citizens to be Election Judges at the polls. It would be preposterous for a teacher to be absent from work because of election. His services are really not needed at the polls. Cheers and peace.
--- On Mon, 1/10/11, Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID) <jbi8@cdc.gov> wrote:
From: Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID) <jbi8@cdc.gov>
Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] RE: SHUT DOWN SCHOOLS FOR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA ??
To: valojo@md.metrocast.net, NIgerianID@yahoogroups.com, NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com, NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, naijaintellects@googlegroups.com, naijapolitics@yahoogroups.com,nigerianid@yahoogroups.com, afenmai@yahoogroups.com, edo-nationality@yahoogroups.com, usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Cc: Participants.Group@mango.metrocast.net
Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 12:56 PM
""""In the US, most PUBLIC SCHOOLS - and not all schools by the way - are CLOSED on elections days because the premises of many of these schools are used as POLLING CENTERS. It has NOTHING to do with "the general notion of the need for free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria (or anywhere for that matter) and how a little time off from school (that will be made up) would be reasonable...!" In addition, many high school teachers are recruited to participate electoral officers in conducting the elections in the US. These are the reasons why most public schools are closed on election days in the US!"""Unquote Dr Val Ojo For whatever national imperative that lead to a small time-off from school for preparedness and operation, and since there is the provision to make up for the lost time, we should work with it and help Govts perform and to succeeed in Nigeria! Take care. JUI "I addressed the general notion of the need for free, fair and credible in Nigeria and how a litlle time off from school (that will be made up) would be reasonabl; this is done even in industrialized nations...preparing the School Centers for registration, and possibly voting later, to ensure student security and to allow for a smooth registration is not a bad idea, to me. I will even advised that the entire nation takes a holiday on the day of the Presidential election. There is precedence for that practice in developed nations..." - "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" jbi8@cdc.gov
Dr. Joe Igietseme:
Don't let's get carried away by our own rhetoric - or "because "this is done even in industrialized nations", or we assume that "there is precedence for that practice in developed nations".
1. First off, so once something "is done even in industrialized nations", or we assume that "there is precedence for that practice in developed nations", Nigeria MUST follow suit....?
2. Second off, how many "industrialized nations" or "developed nations" have you participated in their electoral process...?
How many "industrialized nations" or "developed nations " have you even visited, lived in, and gotten to know first hand...?
Simply because something is done in the US, does that automatically follow that the same thing is done in ALL "industrialized nations" or " developed nations"...?
In the US, most PUBLIC SCHOOLS - and not all schools by the way - are CLOSED on elections days because the premises of many of these schools are used as POLLING CENTERS. It has NOTHING to do with "the general notion of the need for free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria (or anywhere for that matter) and how a little time off from school (that will be made up) would be reasonable...!"
In addition, many high school teachers are recruited to participate electoral officers in conducting the elections in the US.
These are the reasons why most public schools are closed on election days in the US!
And no public holiday is ever declared nationwide for elections, though local jurisdictions may avail themselves of this possibility. But it is usually a local decision!
"...a little time off from school (that will be made up) would be reasonable" for what in the case of Nigeria...?
Nigeria that already has too much "time off from school" when the schools are closed by ARBITRARY FIATS from the police or the governor or anyone, or by teachers and administration going on strike due to poor working conditions or on account of their miserable pays which are not even regular!
[How many times have you had that schools are shut down by public officials (or on account of any of the above listed conditions) in the US, if not due to inclement weather or some serious tragedy or structural malfunction to facilities...? These are the things Nigeria should be imitating from your so-called"industrialized nations " or "developed nations", nations where no public officials, NO ONE period - including even the President - is deemed to be above the law! And corrupt public officials are neither tolerated nor celebrated!!]
Now, you are looking for more excuses to make an already bad educational system worse!
Is it "a little time off from school" that guarantees "free, fair and credible elections" - or the HUMAN BEINGS who vote, who count the vote, who monitor the voting, and who are PEOPLE of MORALS and INTEGRITY ...?
And not people who go to church to pray god to help them stuff ballot boxes, who go to motor parks to recruit jobless touts, give them 200 Naira each and get them to go and disrupt the voting process, electoral officers who can be bribed and/or threatened, results that are announced before the ballots are even counted, an utterly corrupt police force, and judges who are only too ready to deliver judgments in favor of the highest bidder or the powers that be...
How can "a little time off from school (that will be made up)" make up for all these glaring FAULTS in the Nigerian electoral system...?
Here, Wilson Iguade would seem to be right when he observed that "the planners, on purpose, based on inferior planning and last minute decision picked on the most vulnerable population in our society to remedy their incompetencies...those advance countries you wish we are give notice months and months ahead for such events and the people plan accordingly."
When you provide the wrong remedy for the wrong ailment, are you surprised that the ailment does not go away?
You are in disease control and prevention - you should know that better than anyone else: Panadol may cure an ordinary cold or headache, but it is surely no cure for cancer of the lung!
Dr. Valentine Ojo
Tall Timbers, MD
On Sun 01/09/11 8:25 PM , "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" jbi8@cdc.gov sent: When the specifics of an issue rather than the general concept or idea are at stake, it becomes CRUCIAL to pay attention to the details we ascribed to people or institutions so that we dont't misrepresent or misquote others. As clearly shown below, I addressed`the general notion of the need for free, fair and credible in Nigeria and how a litlle time off from school (that will be made up) would be reasonabl; this is done even in industrialized nations where democratic processes are already established, underscoring the significance of the electoral practice in democracy. Check the practices in the US and elsewhere. In the words of the Nigerian Minister delivering the message: >“One thing that every Nigerian is concerned about as at today is to have ag credible election that will help us elect credible leaders for the development of the country. This decision is not too much for us to give to actualize that. “We will make amend for the period we are taking out of the academic calendar." Now, although INEC has been in place for a while, Prof Jega was appointed by Pres Jonathan last year (2010), so he is not even a year on the job yet, not to talk of 4 years you associated with him below. Besides, preparing the School Centers for registration, and possibly voting later, to ensure student security and to allow for a smooth registration is not a bad idea, to me. I will even advised that the entire nation takes a holiday on the day of the Presidential election. There is precedence for that practice in developed nations we have copied their political systems. Finally, I have reposted the Original news report here, so that we can follow the specifics, if they interest you. Take care. JUI [[[[>2011: FG orders closure of schools till Feb [for Politics]
>From MODESTUS CHUKWULAKA, Abuja
>Friday, January 07, 2011>
>Following request by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use schools across the country as registration centres for the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise, the Federal Government yesterday directed that all primary and secondary schools in the country, remain on recess until February 4, 2011.
>
>Both public and private schools will be affected.
>Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday said the decision was informed by government’s determination to ensure that INEC was supported in its effort to see that Nigerians get a credible election in 2011 general.
>
>Gbagi explained that only Senior Secondary School class 3 pupils would be allowed to resume school because of their examination, but added however, that arrangement had been concluded with the principals of the affected schools on how to ensure proper security measures for the students. He said the decision to close the schools does not affect the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education as well as other tertiary institutions as it was the primary and secondary schools only that would be used for the exercise.
>
>Although the minister said he did not envisage any disobedience from any school especially the private schools, he promised to monitor compliance to ensure the directive was carried out nationwide.
>For the few academic weeks that would be lost to the exercise, the minister promised that the Federal Ministry of Education would work out modalities how to make up so that it does not affect normal academic calendar.
>
>“One thing that every Nigerian is concerned about as at today is to have ag credible election that will help us elect credible leaders for the development of the country. This decision is not too much for us to give to actualize that. “We will make amend for the period we are taking out of the academic calendar. As the Federal Ministry of Education, we have supervisory role over every schools and we know that even the private schools will be willing to give this period up as support to achieve a credible election,” he said.
>The INEC it was disclosed wrote the Federal Ministry of Education requesting that schools be prevented from resuming after the Christmas and New Year vacation to allow its officials use the schools nationwide as voters’ registration centres.]]]]] Thanks Dr. JUI for taking time to answer my questions. First, we can agree that we are not in dispute over free and fair election. Second, we can agree that Nigeria is not an advance country therefore expectations can be different. Third, we can agree that give time off to participate in the democratic process is not an issue. However, your argument as I understand it makes a case for closing down ALL primary/secondary schools not including higher institutions such as universities (private and public) in order to complete voters registrations for about TWO weeks. This argument of yours, based on my understanding, prompted my questions to you. Even though you have answered to the best of your ability, I am disappointed that the current plan is the best that Prof. Jega and his team or whatever agency responsible for this assignment can come up with after about 4 years of planning. Assuming it is the best we can do, why was it not announced much sooner so families can make appropriate plans? Why include private schools that are paying appropriate taxes? Why not use police stations as registration centers? It seems to me that the planners, on purpose, based on inferior planning and last minute decision picked on the most vulnerable population in our society to remedy their incompetencies. JUI, those advance countries you wish we are give notice months and months ahead for such events and the people plan accordingly. Thanks for your time. God bless. Iguade
On Jan 9, 2011, at 4:12 PM, "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" <jbi8@cdc.gov> wrote:
"""we want free and fair elections and institute democratic elections as the basis of governance and national advancement, an important priority for Nigerian progress; yet we dont think all stops should be pulled at this time, including taking a national holiday for the purpose of registration and voting; even in the advanced industrialized nations where the fundamentals of registration, voting and democratic practices have been laid down, Govt still give free time (and in some cases holidays) for voting and elections. Nigeria is just starting out and it is my belief that taking some time out to get things done properly is not too much. We have to minimize the confusion and misleading signals we issue on Govt pollicy and executive matters so that we dont confuse or leaders. There is a STRONG RATIONALE for taking some time off for registration, voting and other election-related matters in Nigeria at this time, so that the fundamentals of the democracy can be well laid..........This stort-term time-off to get the basics of democracy right is a small price to pay for Nigerian progress, instead of muddling things up and NEVER get it right." I am not sure of how to derive a mathematical equation for the cost-benefit analysis of this issue; but if the above statement does not provide the rationales and benefitf for the time-off for the democratic process in Nigeria, which can be supported by similar practices in developed nations, then I have nothing else to say on this issue. I trust there are people who would verify my claims and find merit in my position on this issue. Take care. JUI You said "We must operate MATURELY and realize that cost-benefit analysis is key to moving forward on some issues of our lives where we have to give and take. " unquote 1) What is the cost-benefit analysis key to closing schools down for voters' registration? 2) We had 4 years to plan for this coming presidential election - is it your position that, the closing of our schools down to register voters, is the best organizational plan our leaders can come up with? I would appreciate your answers if you care to answer in earnest. You reserve the right not to answer my questions. Thank you, sir. God bless. Iguade
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 9, 2011, at 7:48 AM, "Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCEZID)" <jbi8@cdc.gov> wrote:
It appears Nigerians are VERY CONFUSED and CONFLICTED on the vital issus; and this may partly explain the oftentimes hapharzard behaviors of the leaders who are under these contradictory pressures. Nigerians want corruption wiped out regardless of the ethnic base of perpetrators; yet we constantly clamor for ethnic-this, ethnic-that, in ways and manner that provide refuges for corrupt Nigerians; we want free and fair elections and institute democratic elections as the basis of governance and national advancement, an important priority for Nigerian progress; yet we dont think all stops should be pulled at this time, including taking a national holiday for the purpose of registration and voting; even in the advanced industrialized nations where the fundamentals of registration, voting and democratic practices have been laid down, Govt still give free time (and in some cases holidays) for voting and elections. Nigeria is just starting out and it is my belief that taking some time out to get things done properly is not too much. We have to minimize the confusion and misleading signals we issue on Govt pollicy and executive matters so that we dont confuse or leaders. There is a STRONG RATIONALE for taking some time off for registration, voting and other election-related matters in Nigeria at this time, so that the fundamentals of the democracy can be well laid. We must QUIT unnecessary and unprovoked complaints that do nothing but perpetuate the miseries in the society. We must operate MATURELY and realize that cost-benefit analysis is key to moving forward on some issues of our lives where we have to give and take. This stort-term time-off to get the basics of democracy right is a small price to pay for Nigerian progress, instead of muddling things up and NEVER get it right. This is my candid opinion on this matter. Take care. Joe Igietseme ( recollecting the apt words of Ralph Obiora of NADECCO fame, that the Nigerian is the only human being who would like eat his/her and still hold it in his/her hand!) This is totally acceptable to us mothers. We can not afford to risk the lives our children at this time. They are safe with us at home these few weeks!
On Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:11 EET tony egbe wrote:
>NIGERIANS,
>
>Yes indeed, People will always have their Most in Priority come First!! As far as the Nigerian Political Class is Concerned, they will have to settle the Matter that is seen as their First and Best in Priority. This is their source of survival and livelihood!! Definitely, this comes first as far as this political class is concerned!! Nothing else matters!!
>
>Through the Elected office, this Bunch make their living; since Federal Government is the ONLY Mfg. Plant and Business Corporation in Nigeria, from where Most of the population depend on for their livelihood. Why not, therefore, shut down schools to settle this Coporation first before any other thing in Nigeria? Who cares?
>
>After all, to get Educational certificates and degrees in Nigeria nowadays, is a Function of the amount of Money one has to give to the lecturers, and those responsible for awarding these certificates and degerees!! Don't we have OUK and many others with PhD. degrees without the basic WASC certificate? Next Please, let's discuss some other "more important thing"!! Otoiheoma Egbe.
>
>--- On Fri, 1/7/11, Vitus Ozoke <vitusozoke@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>From: Vitus Ozoke <vitusozoke@hotmail.com>
>Subject: [igbosf] This cannot be True!
>To: "Unec Unec" < unec-lawyers@yahoogroups.com>
>Date: Friday, January 7, 2011, 3:52 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Folks,
>
>If there was any doubt that Nigeria has completely lost it, this clears it. This is unbelievable! How in the world did Atahiru Jega and the Jonathan administration come up with this sort of retrograde idea? Who shuts schools down for one full month just to advance the sham that is electoral politics in Nigeria? This is totally reprehensible! This is the height of anti-people policy. This is silly! What nation with any sustainable plan and vision for its future robs its children and youth to advance the evil ambition of a corrupt political class? What an embarrassing irony; Atahiru Jega, a former president of Academic Staff Union of Universities, is shutting down schools in Nigeria just so that politicians will do their business. What a shame! What an anti-climax for Jega! Boy, has he lost my respect? I miss Gani Fawehinmi. If the Oracle were alive today, he would be headed to court to challenge and stop this madness.
>
>Afam Osuigwe, as the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, would you consider bringing the right kind of motions to challenge this silliness? This is an absolute abomination! This is an outrage! Mogul Moses Okezie, I know you are a public-interest lawyer, would you please do something about this! This should not be happening. Oh death, had you but spared him till the dawn of this national nadir, Gani Fawehinmi would have championed the noble cause of the over 80 million Nigerian children and youth whose sacred interest this policy is designed to violate. Where is Festus Keyamo? Where is the Nigeria Bar Association? Maybe it's time for me to go home! This nation that I love has suffered enough internal terrorism. Can we descend any lower? This is sickening!
>
>2011: FG orders closure of schools till Feb [for Politics]
>From MODESTUS CHUKWULAKA, Abuja
>Friday, January 07, 2011>
>
>Following request by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use schools across the country as registration centres for the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise, the Federal Government yesterday directed that all primary and secondary schools in the country, remain on recess until February 4, 2011.
>
>Both public and private schools will be affected.
>Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday said the decision was informed by government’s determination to ensure that INEC was supported in its effort to see that Nigerians get a credible election in 2011 general.
>
>Gbagi explained that only Senior Secondary School class 3 pupils would be allowed to resume school because of their examination, but added however, that arrangement had been concluded with the principals of the affected schools on how to ensure proper security measures for the students. He said the decision to close the schools does not affect the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education as well as other tertiary institutions as it was the primary and secondary schools only that would be used for the exercise.
>
>Although the minister said he did not envisage any disobedience from any school especially the private schools, he promised to monitor compliance to ensure the directive was carried out nationwide.
>For the few academic weeks that would be lost to the exercise, the minister promised that the Federal Ministry of Education would work out modalities how to make up so that it does not affect normal academic calendar.
>
>“One thing that every Nigerian is concerned about as at today is to have ag credible election that will help us elect credible leaders for the development of the country. This decision is not too much for us to give to actualize that. “We will make amend for the period we are taking out of the academic calendar. As the Federal Ministry of Education, we have supervisory role over every schools and we know that even the private schools will be willing to give this period up as support to achieve a credible election,” he said.
>The INEC it was disclosed wrote the Federal Ministry of Education requesting that schools be prevented from resuming after the Christmas and New Year vacation to allow its officials use the schools nationwide as voters’ registration centres.
>
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>Not much do I know, but one thing do I know much; that there is God.
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> --
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