Improve security in schools to arrest increasing number of out-of-school children, group urges FG

Civil society organization with focus on security in schools and students, the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), has called on government to take more proactive measures to improve security within and around schools to arrest growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday at an event marking 2022 global action week for education (GAWE), the executive director of the initiative, Mr. Abideen Olasupo, lamented that number of out-of-school children in Nigeria stood at 10.5 million.

Olasupo, who said that attacks on schools and students are a threat to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 which he said focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong opportunities for all, added that number of children being prevented from accessing education was on the increase due to partial and total closure of schools occasioned by attacks on schools and abduction of students.

The group, working in partnership with the Kwara state ministry of Education and Ford Foundation, urged government to provide safe and accessible learning environments for children in emergency situations, especially in isolated schools and vulnerable areas where attackers can get away easily, saying that, “children and young people are our greatest assets; we must, therefore, provide a safe environment where they can acquire education and skills they need to realize their potential”.

Olasupo also said that teachers should be protected, adequately trained and remunerated, added that government should organize regular training for teachers and students on what to do during emergency situations.

“In the event of an attack on schools, leading to destruction of school facilities, the government should ensure quick fixing of these facilities.

“Increase funding for education. Bullying has been identified as a form of violence that makes schools unsafe for children. We, therefore, call on the government to implement policy and take actions that end bullying and other related vices at schools.

“Schools must also have security plan and survey”, he said.

The group, which commended efforts of the Kwara state government at making schools and students safe in the state, said that ensuring security in schools and among students is the responsibility of every stakeholder.

“Keeping our schools safe should not be seen as the duty of the government alone. We all have a role to play; community and religious leaders, security agencies, civil society organizations, people with special needs, parents, and community-based groups must all get involved. In matters of security, we are all stakeholders. We must assist security agencies with information and intelligence gathering, which is key to preventing some of these attacks on schools”.