The Zamfara State Government has banned residents from erecting makeshift shops, hawking, and all unauthorised commercial activities within and around public schools.
The government warned that anyone found violating the directive would face legal consequences and added that the directive is aimed at protecting students and preserving a safe, orderly environment for teaching and learning.
The directive was announced in a circular issued by the Zamfara State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on Wednesday, addressing members of the public, particularly school authorities, parents, guardians, traders, and communities around public schools to key into the regulation, adding that the government has established a special committee tasked with monitoring compliance and ensuring that all prohibited commercial activities are removed from school premises and surrounding areas.
In the circular, signed by the Secretary of the Committee on the Prohibition of Trading and Unauthorised Commercial Activities Within and Around Public School Premises, Lawal Mukhtar, the ministry emphasised that strict compliance would be enforced across all public schools in the state.
Mukhtar said that the committee will identify and halt unauthorised trading, carry out public awareness campaigns, collaborate with security agencies and relevant stakeholders, recommend sanctions against offenders, and provide regular compliance updates to the government.
“This action is necessary to safeguard our schools and create an atmosphere that supports effective learning,” the ministry stated, stressing that educational institutions must remain free from activities that could disrupt academic work.