The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu has called for Vigilance in ensuring the safety of learners in school. Sununu made this call in commemoration of the “International Day to Protect Education from Attack”.
Speaking at the Ministry’s Conference Hall at the event marking all important day with the theme, “Implementing Safe Schools Policy for all,” Dr. Sununu highlighted the pressing need to utilize the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools (NPSSVFS) and the National Minimum Standards for Safe Schools for the operationalization of safe school policies, noting that these guidelines are essential for ensuring consistent safety standards across educational institutions, thereby reducing casualties during imminent attacks.
The Minister acknowledged the alarming attacks on schools in Nigeria and their far-reaching consequences. These attacks disrupt learners’ school attendance, destabilize teachers, compromise the quality of education, and hinder economic and social progress. He pointed out the paramount importance of security for students, teachers, and educational infrastructure, particularly in crisis-affected regions like Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states.
He also drew attention to the impact and ripple effects of attacks on education, emphasizing that they have significant socio-economic setbacks for the nation. Displaced communities and families contribute to the growing number of out-of-school adolescents and young people. Additionally, cases of early unintended pregnancies, child marriages, gender-based violence, trauma, and other negative consequences arise from these attacks.
According to him, the two major initiatives by the Federal Government aimed at protecting education are: the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) and the launch of the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI). The SSD commitment consolidates the national intent to safeguard learners, teachers, schools, and universities from the ravages of conflict and attacks. National Plans of Action (POA) for the SSD and the National Plan for Financing Safe Schools have been developed in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the protection of schools and a swift response to attacks.
Honourable Dr. Sununu emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in the effective implementation of safe school policies. The commemoration marked a vital step towards raising awareness about the need to protect education and ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all.