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UNICEF calls for school safety in Nigeria

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UNICEF calls for school safety in Nigeria

 

Kano- The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for concerted efforts to enhance school safety in Nigeria.

UNICEF Chief of Kano Field office, Mr Rahama Mohammed said this on Wednesday in Kano in an event to mark this year’s International Day of Education.

Represented by Michael Banda, Senior Education Manager Kano field office, said the 2024 theme is “education for lasting peace, a very apt theme because Education was a driver of security, peace, and economic prosperity all over the world.

According to him, education can only take place in an atmosphere of peace adding that insecurity has emerged as one of the greatest threats to the development of education in Nigeria, especially in the North-West.

“We must therefore work hand in hand with the State and our community keep out schools safe,’’ Mohammed said.

He further said that UNICEF considered education as a driver of peace, security, and safety  as provided in its implementation strategy of Safe Schools Declaration and the Minimum Standards on Safe Schools in Nigeria.

“Focusing on safe schools is important because education also promotes gender equity, economic prosperity, social cohesion, and social development,’’ he said.

The chief field Officer however, said the agency had supported 13 highest risk states to develop coasted safe school implementation plans through steering committees.

“UNICEF is also supporting the three states to develop evidence-based gender transformative, equity/disability inclusive and crisis/climate change resilient education sector plan.

“The organization also trained teachers on psychosocial support especially when schools are under threat or attacked,’’ UNICEF chief said.

Mohammed said that UNICEF had generated data for the implementation of the minimum standards in 6,000 schools in the Northwest.

“UNICEF will provide psycho-social support training to 6,000 teachers in Jigawa and Kano states with funding from the EU in 2024,” he said.

Earlier, the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Umar Doguwa, said that the state government would invest heavily on education to cater for the students’ needs in the state.

According to him, the state government has set aside 29.7% of its 2024 budget to education as part of its efforts to revive the sector.

Some students who spoke at the occasion, have called for awareness campaign on safe school tips, climate change, school fencing and security.

News Agency reports that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Education for lasting peace’’, and International Day of Education is celebrated annually on 24 January.

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Katsina: Tinubu group unveils CBT coaching for 2,250 JAMB candidates

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A political support group, Tinubu/Dikko Assured (TDA 2027), has launched a free computer training programme for 2,250 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) candidates across Katsina State.

The initiative was meant for candidates whose registration was sponsored by the campaign group, under the leadership of Umar Ahmad-Zayyad.

The training was officially launched for more than 1,000 students from Katsina Zone, on Thursday, at the state Institute of Technology and Management (KTSIM).

Speaking at the event, the Katsina State Coordinator of the group, Ibrahim Khalil, explained that the initiative is just one of several programmes being implemented by the organisation.

Speakers at the event commended the efforts of the organisation, particularly its commitment to promoting educational development in the state.

The state Deputy Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bala Musawa, urged the candidates to remain focused and take full advantage of the training.

According to Musawa, such attention will enable the beneficiaries to achieve the intended objectives of the programme.

Member representing Katsina Local Government in the State Assembly, Aliyu Abubakar-Albaba, commended the gesture, calling on other groups to also emulate.

In his remarks, TDA patron, Dr Muttaka Rabe-Darma, assured adequate support to equip the candidates with the required knowledge that will help them to pass the examination.

Also speaking, the TDA leader, Zayyad-Ahmad, pledged to sponsor the first school registration for those who score 200 marks or above in the examination.

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Katsina inaugurates committee to domesticate safe schools policy

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The Katsina State Government has taken a decisive step toward strengthening safety in schools across the state, with the inauguration of a Steering Committee on Safe Schools.

The programme, held on Thursday in Katsina, was supported by the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project, aimed at domesticating and implementing the National Safe Schools Policy (NSSP).

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Suleiman, described the inauguration as a landmark moment in the state’s efforts to ensure that every child learns in a safe, secure environment free from fear, violence, and other threats.

According to him, the state government recognises that meaningful learning can only take place where safety, dignity, and protection are guaranteed for both students and educators.

He reiterated that education remained a top priority of the administration of Gov. Dikko Radda, noting that the government had continued to invest in policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of children and strengthening the education system.

Suleiman pointed out that schools across the state face a range of risks, including insecurity, natural hazards, and other forms of violence, stressing that addressing such challenges requires coordinated efforts among relevant stakeholders.

The commissioner explained that the newly inaugurated committee would provide strategic leadership and coordinate efforts among government ministries, security institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and local communities.

He added that the steering committee would also oversee the domestication and effective implementation of the NSSP in the state.

Suleiman assured that the state government was fully committed to domesticating the policy to ensure the protection of school environment and uninterrupted learning for children across the state.

He also acknowledged the role of development partners, especially Save the Children International (SCI), which implements the ECW project, and UNICEF, in supporting the initiative.

Earlier, the Deputy Director of Programme Influencing at Save the Children, Badar Musa, said the initiative follows Nigeria’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015.

According to him, the declaration provides a framework and minimum standards for protecting schools nationwide.

Musa explained that states across the federation were encouraged to establish steering committees to domesticate and implement the policy at the state level.

He commended Katsina State for taking the step, describing it as a demonstration of strong commitment to child protection and school safety.

According to Musa, Katsina will become the fifth state in the country to domesticate the NSSP once the process is completed.

He stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and warned against the use of school facilities as operational bases by security forces.

The deputy director noted that such actions could expose students and teachers to risks during attacks.

He further highlighted the role of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, which monitors threats and coordinates interventions aimed at preventing attacks on schools.

The commissioner said the centre had successfully prevented hundreds of attempted attacks on schools across the country between February 2023 and December 2025.

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SCI supports 1,052 out-of-school children in Adamawa

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Save the Children International (SCI) has launched the distribution of learning materials to 1,052 vulnerable out-of-school children in nine communities in Yola-South Local Government Area of Adamawa.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, SCI Education Officer, Maryam Neol, said the intervention was implemented under the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project.

She explained that the initiative aimed to accelerate access to inclusive and quality education while building a resilient and sustainable learning system for children excluded from formal schooling.

According to her, beneficiaries will undergo a nine-month accelerated learning programme before being integrated into formal schools, while some will receive skills acquisition training.

“The programme is structured to equip the children with foundational literacy and numeracy skills required for a smooth transition into conventional classrooms,” she said.

Neol listed benefiting communities as Yelwa, Wuro-Cheki, Namtari, Damare, TC Demonstration, Wuro-Jabbe, Walowol Gugu, Wuroyanka and Ngurore Central.

The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Garba Pella, commended SCI for supporting efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Represented by Director Alhaji Bappa Mohammed, Pella said the intervention aligned with government’s commitment to expanding access to basic education.

He urged parents and community leaders to support the accelerated learning programme, emphasizing that they should ensure beneficiaries take full advantage of the opportunity to secure a better future.

Also speaking, Mr Stephen Medugu, Coordinator of the Education in Emergency Working Group, lauded SCI’s intervention and encouraged parents to prioritise their children’s education.

A community leader in Samunaka, Malam Shuaibu Ali, appreciated SCI and its partners but expressed concern over insecurity affecting schools in the area.

Ali said incidents of harassment involving students and teachers had been recorded, and appealed to the state government to strengthen security to create a safer learning environment.

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