The Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have raised concerns over the increasing rate of gender-based violence against girls in public schools.
Speaking at a Girl-Child Education discussion on Gender-Based Violence in public schools held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists press centre in Kaduna on Tuesday, Rev. Joseph Hayab noted:
“It is an honour to stand before you today to discuss two critical issues that deeply affect our society—the education of the girl child and the alarming rise in gender-based violence in our public schools. These issues demand our collective attention and urgent action,” he said.
“Education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and empowering young people to build a better future. Yet, across Kaduna State, many girls in Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) face the heartbreaking reality of being unable to sit for their NECO examinations simply because they cannot afford the fees.
“This financial barrier is forcing many bright and hardworking students to drop out at the final hurdle of their secondary education, limiting their opportunities and deepening inequalities.”
“I want to commend His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, for his passion and significant strides in transforming the education sector in Kaduna State.
“His administration has shown a clear commitment to improving access to education by reinstating the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees—a policy that had been discontinued by the previous administration. This bold step demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial hardship.”
“However, while the government has commendably allocated a budget line for these external examination fees, it is crucial that the funds are released immediately. Delay in disbursing these funds will mean that thousands of students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, may miss their examinations this year. We cannot afford to let this happen.”
Hayab appealed directly to the Kaduna State Government to prioritise the immediate release of funds to sponsor NECO examinations for SSS3 students.
Additionally, we established 30 Community School Safety Committees across the three senatorial zones to address harassment and create safer school environments.
“These committees serve as watchdogs, working with school authorities, parents, and law enforcement to mitigate acts of violence and ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning.
“The prevalence of gender-based violence in our public schools is alarming and requires urgent attention. Girls should not have to choose between education and safety. Schools must be safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of harassment or abuse.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Kaduna Council of the NUJ, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, harped on the importance of supporting educational development, especially at the formative age, and assured that journalists would be partners in encouraging education and in courses toward enhancing human development.
Northern Coordinator of the GPFN, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, expressed worry over obstacles to the smooth educational development of children, especially girls, and advocated for urgent action to make education an easy task for all.
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