Finance Ministry to commit adequate budgetary allocation for safe schools — Permanent Secretary
…As stakeholders proffer solutions on safe schools
By Matthew Denis Abuja
The Permanent Secretary on Special Duties Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning, Shehu Aliyu Shekafi has disclosed that the ministry is geared towards providing adequate budgetary allocation for financing safe schools activities.
The Permanent Secretary made the disclosure during Stakeholders engagement Forum held in Abuja on Monday.
He said, “The Federal Government is committed to ensuring a safer teaching and learning environment as the Ministry is committed towards creating adequate budgetary allocation for financing safe schools activities.
“We’re all aware of the insecurity that has befallen our nation and of interest as stakeholders Is the incessant attacks to our Schools across the country that has disrupted the education Sector. One of the resultant is the declaration of Nigeria having the highest out of schools children.”
According to him this Crisis has led to a high-level forum on Financing Safe Schools in April 2021 which resulted to the Abuja compact last year.
“The Ministry as part of it commitment at the Summit constituted a steering committee and Secreatarait for the financing safe schools to engage critical stakeholders with the target to develop and launch a National Plan in September 2022.
The Benue state Commissioner of Finance who is also the Chairman of States Commissioners of Finance Forum, Hon. David Olofu applauded the the initiative while assuring that they will fully support it execution for safety of teachers and students.
He appealed to the federal government to assist the various states in financing the project considering the fact that most states are overstretched in finding the education Sector.
The Commissioner of Osun state for Education, Hon. Folorunsho Oladoyin said, “I highly delighted that we started this Programme about a year ago and it has Crystalized into bringing stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring the safety of our children.
“This summit will bring the tiers of Government in partnership with the private sector to safeguard our schools to avoid unwholesome happening like avoiding lunatics to unveil our schools to kill our children.”
The Osun state Commissioner of Economic Planning, Prof. Olalekan Yunusa stressed that the programme is laudable considering the fact that education is fundamental to development therefore the future of our children should be accorded with adequate priority.
He said, “Safe Schools is a precondition for effective learning and development that will happen in the future. I’m impressed that critical stakeholders are invited for policy formulation and assist in delivery during the implementation process.”
Also Speaking, the President National Association of Proprietors of Public Schools (NAPPS), Chief Yomi Otubela called on the Government to carry the private along since the safe schools policy is adopted by all.
He said, “We’re looking at finding from stakeholders who initiated this policy and we are collaborating with parents associations, alumni, philanthropists and voluntary Organizations to ensure safety of our children.”
Highlights of the programme were Goodwill messages from stakeholders including security personnel and traditional rulers to fine-tune lasting remedies in ensuring safety schools environment for adequate teaching and learning.
