A non-governmental organisation, the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called for effective partnership among key education stakeholders on the implementation of safe school imitative in Nigeria.
Speaking at a media round table on ‘Safe School Declaration (SSD) accountability,’ in Lagos, Founding Director, WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said there was a need for increased public awareness of the policy.
The programme was organised by WARDC in collaboration with the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), to enhance reportage of the impact of insecurity on education, and advocacy for safe schools in Nigeria.
Akiyode-Afolabi noted that the SSD policy was a global initiative adopted by Nigeria in 2015, but lamented that most states were yet to domesticate it.
While appealing for collaboration between the government, policy makers, media, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to ensure success of the initiative, Akiyode-Afolabi noted that there is currently a national policy on safety, security and violent free schools, and called on government at all levels to commit more funds.
“There is the need for an active action plan to make the schools secure. We are looking at the possibility of the government coming up with a legal framework that would define this appropriately, based on the experience we have had with security in schools. Something that will define the minimum standard upon which schools should operate in Nigeria.”
She said the media can also play an active role in the implementation process by holding government accountable.
“Over time, we have seen what the issue of safety and security have turned out to be in Nigeria, going by the Chibok girls’ incident. Recently, a community was attacked in Kaduna and about 200 students were taken away.”
Although the students have been returned, Akiyode-Afolabi said it was clear that the ugly trend had reached a state of emergency for the government to do more and ensure the safety of students.
“Note that incidences like this will discourage students from going to school, while parents would also be skeptical about allowing their wards return to school for fear of being kidnapped.”
The WARDC founder said it is also imperative for the government to take further steps in resetting its goal on national financing plans and bring more security into schools.
According to her, normalcy can no longer work, especially since the Chibok girls’ incident, adding that it is part of the reasons for advocating a political will on the side of the government on the issue.
