Hussaini Ibrahim Kafi in Kano
The United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has joined forces with Jigawa State and 14 other Nigerian states to domesticate the Safe School Policy.
This partnership comes in response to the alarming rise in attacks on educational institutions in the country.
During his presentation in Dutse capital of Jigawa state on Friday, the Education Specialist at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr. Muttaka Muktar, highlighted the alarming number of school closures due to security challenges.
Since 2014, armed groups have targeted approximately 1,500 schools, resulting in the abduction of over 1,400 students and 21 teachers.
Tragically, 16 lives have been lost in these attacks. As a consequence, at least 867 schools remain closed nationwide.
The Safe School Policy aims to protect educational institutions and their occupants from violence and attacks.
By domesticating the policy, UNICEF and the partner states hope to create a safer learning environment for children and educators.
The closure of hundreds of schools due to security threats has had a devastating impact on education in Nigeria.
Thousands of children have been deprived of their right to education, leading to disrupted learning, increased school dropout rates, and a growing number of out-of-school children.
The implementation of the Safe School Policy is crucial to addressing these challenges and ensuring that every child in Nigeria has access to quality education.
