We’re committed to safety of schools, says FG

The Federal Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property in schools at all levels.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sonny Echono made the assertion on the sidelines of the inauguration of a 550- capacity JSS 1 students’ hostel at Queen’s College Yaba, Lagos last week.

According to him, the incessant attacks on schools and the subsequent kidnapping of students and staff, by suspected bandits was worrisome and unacceptable.

He said the ugly development was greatly affecting the federal government’s pursuit toward providing quality education to all children of school age, in the country.

According to him, the government, especially at the centre is making frantic efforts with relevant security agencies and at committee levels, to address the general issue of insecurity in the country including schools.

He noted that there was also a subcommittee chaired by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola that is focusing mainly on the security of schools across the country and has the military, civil defence personnel and some civilians including his humble self as members.

The permanent secretary also noted that the committee had concluded its report, stating the workable measures to address the problem and arrived at desirable results.

Mr Echono disclosed that people in the local communities and native vigilance groups and local police, school principals and students would equally be involved in the efforts.

He said the assessment carried out by the committee on schools nationwide including the 110 Federal unity colleges, indicated that some schools were in very high-risk areas while some others were either in the medium or relatively safe areas.

“So, different approaches and measures will be taken based on risk category a school is fallen into, to address the situation with no school to be left unprotected,” he added.

He said approval had been given and implementation had also taken off gradually.

On the Queen’s College hostel, Mr Echono commended the principal, Dr Tokunbo Yakubu-Oyinloye, for her leadership role and for ensuring the college remained focus in a bid to attain greater height.

He said the ministry was proud of the college and its achievements over the years.

He charged both staff and students not to rest on their oars, but to strive harder to move the college higher.

In her welcome address, the principal of the college, Dr (Mrs) Tokunbo Yakubu-Oyinloye, expressed happiness over the completion of the hostel, saying it would certainly ease accommodation challenges in the school.

She noted that the foundation of the hostel was actually laid during the administration of her predecessor, Dr (Mrs) Betty Are, while her own administration completed the project.

She said it was interesting to know that the same permanent secretary who performed the foundation laying-in ceremony also performed the inauguration of the hostel for use.

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