FG, World Bank, others partner on safeguarding schools

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

The Founder of Emergency Coordination Center (ECC), Dr. Ayoade Alakija has revealed that the data available shows that over 18.5 million Nigeria children are out of schools as a result of the incessant insecurity and poverty lavishing the country.

She made the disclosure during a High Level summit organised by UNICEF in partnership with ECC christened ‘Safeguarding Our School: Creating a Safe Teaching and Learning Environment’ held in Abuja.

Dr. Alakija Said “UNICEF data has estimated that 18.5 million children were out of school in Nigeria and 60 per cent  of whom are girls. This is worrisome.”

According to her, ECC is a Nigerian based organisation established to facilitate, coordinate and provide strategic advice and direction to various social development and humanitarian related activities involving high level National and international stakeholders.

She said, “In April 2021, 7years after the Boko Haram abduction of 276 schools from Chibok, Borno state Nigeria’s ECC facilitated the first high level Forum on Financing Safe School in Nigeria and creating safe learning communities. A whole society approach to addressing the education crisis in Nigeria was agreed by multistakeholder participants in the form of the ‘Abuja Compact’.

“There is some reason for hope that safe teaching and learning can be created and sustained across Nigeria so that children can safely go to school. The UN has set the Mandate to ensure all children are given basic education by 2030. Nigeria must do its part to ensure this goal can be met.

“As the host of the Safe Schools Declaration fourth international conference, Nigeria must start to lead the way in good practice to ensure students and educators can learn and teach in safety.”

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria,  Shubham Chaudhuri, warned that the inability of the government to guarantee safe learning environment for children is a drawback to the country’s human capital development.

The World Bank Country representative stressed that except the government adopts an all-inclusive approach to protecting the children, many would be denied their right to education.

He noted that the closure of schools in the FCT due to threats of abduction will further increase the number of out of school children.

In her speech, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, admitted that rising security challenges have led to closure of schools. She however assured of the government’s commitment to safety and security of schools across Nigeria.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aliyu Ahmed, said in keeping with its responsibility to create a safer and more secure teaching, learning and living environment for her children has taken several steps in this direction.In a bid to turn the situation around, Mrs Ahmed said the federal government was currently in talks with States, local governments and other critical agencies of government in order to identify the most transparent, effective and accountable ways of mobilising and deploying resources.

The Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr. Fayemi Kayode Ekiti State Governor emphasized that they will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure safety of learning environment for children.

He applauded ECC for a vital role played as advocate and facilitated for safeguarding schools crossroads in the country noting that the Governors in collaboration with the Chairmen of local councils are already providing perimeter fences in all schools, teachers welfare and enumeration as priority as education is key to nation building.

Top dignitaries at the event were United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, British Ambassador to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Knut Eiliv Lein.

Others were Deputy Director General Multilateral Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway, Mrs. Gunn Jorid, Mr. Peter Hawkins UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mr. A.B Okauru Director General Nigeria Governors Forum among others.