By Olukayode Idowu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Plan International, Center for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), UKAID, Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD) and Borno State Government have called for proper coordination among government, community and humanitarian organisations to improve school safety.
This was the highlight at a panel discussion organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in conjunction with Plan International, Center for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), UKAID, Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD) to mark the tenth anniversary of the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram insurgency.
The symposium which was held at the El kanemi Hall of University of Maiduguri on Wednesday, had a panel discussion on school safety for students/children.
UNICEF Education Officer, Dr Adamu Bulama, who represented the Chief of Borno Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, was on the panel. He spoke about strengthening coordination among government, community and humanitarian organisations to improve school safety.
In his opening remark, the Executive Director of Center for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), Abubakar Mua’zu, said the aimed of the symposium /panel discussion is to chart a way forward for the safety and protection of children in schools
He added that the symposium was also targeted at reflecting on what happened to the innocent students learning and the past students plight, safety issues, solutions and suggestions on how students can be protected In school, and have access to quality education and learning environment, including making the school environment safe for learning
He urged all to be involved and make contributions in the overall interest of the students, staff, parents and guardians as well as government and other stakeholders
Those in the pane of discussants were picked from security agencies, UNICEF, Education Secretaries, CATAI, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), NSCDC and Vigilante Group.
Among suggestions made include the need for security alerts or safety awareness in all schools by educating the students, staff and visitors to the schools on where to go and what to do in cases of emergencies; they
also noted that despite the existing improvement in security in most schools, more efforts should be made to ensure strict compliance to rules and regulations stipulated in all schools by the school authorities.
The panel of discussants, further, observed that there is need for more investments in security in schools, while noting that most schools are safer today than ten years ago through safety auditing which requires checks and balances of security or safety lapses.
It was further suggested that there is the need to strengthen the capacity of school human resources management and ensure sustainability of the capacity building.
They suggested for the full implementation of save school declaration by all school authorities as the document contained all the necessary measures as well as responsibilities of all in terms of safety measures around school or community environment.
