By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
A number of 300 members of School Based Management Committee have been trained and supported through the Girls’ Education Project (GEP3) funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.
A statement by UNICEF explained that the trained teachers have developed emergency preparedness and response plans to mitigate the impact of potential and actual threats to education.
it disclosed that a multi-sectoral task teams on school safety have also been established across all the 34 LGAs of Katsina state to provide timely and efficient networking among actors on school security with particular focus on the safety of girls.
The statement signed by the agency’s communication specialist, Mr. Samuel Kaalu said in addition, 60 Junior Secondary Schools have developed emergency plans and tested the plans in evacuation drills.
“In Katsina State, government and communities have fenced some schools, and this is encouraging girls to attend school, underscoring the reality that collaboration is required in addressing insecurity in schools and making schools safe, especially for girls,” said Hawkins, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria.
Kaalu explained that though Nigeria has ratified the Safe Schools Declaration, schools and learners are not sufficiently protected, and unless greater attention is given to protecting children, teachers and schools will continue to come under attack.
UNICEF, with generous funding from donors, is collaborating with the government of Nigeria to protect children’s right to education in a safe and inclusive learning environment.
“This involves building the capacity of School-based management committees (SBMCs) on school safety and security and strengthening community resilience”, agency stated.
