Gov’t advances back-to-school support for children affected by Cooper’s Pen demolitions
A general view of a classroom at St. Marys Catholic School in Papiri, Agwarra local government, Niger state, on November 23, 2025. Fifty of the more than 300 children snatched by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped their captors, a Christian group said in a statement on November 23.
“We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” said the Christian Association of Nigeria in a statement, adding they escaped between November 21 and 22.
Gunmen raided early November 21 St Mary’s co-education school in Niger state in western Nigeria, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass kidnappings in Nigeria. (Photo by Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP)
September 4, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government of Jamaica has advanced its back-to-school support for children affected by the demolitions at Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, as efforts continue to ensure that they are prepared for the reopening of school on Monday, September 7.
In a release, the government shared that following the directive of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information have provided the necessary assistance. All impacted children have been provided with backpacks and other stationery supplies to assist with their return to school. Uniforms and books from book lists shared by the children’s schools will be provided in short order.
The Government of Jamaica will continue to engage the affected families and schools and coordinate support to residents of Cooper’s Pen, the release said.