The United Nations Children’s Fund and stakeholders have urged governments at all levels to increase funding to protect education sectors, especially in the conflict-affected areas of the country.
Muhammad Riaz, an Education Manager and Sector Coordinator at UNICEF Nigeria, made the plea during an event organised to commemorate the International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack under the theme “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Action” held in Maiduguri.
He further emphasised there is need for government to ensure schools are not only safe but secure and free from attacks by non-state armed groups.
According to him, Nigeria was the first country who signed the call for safe school declaration globally, noting that it’s a demonstration of commitment to ensure that all schools in Nigeria are safe from all sorts of harm and violences but the wrangling funding is a challenged.
He further noted that it is a call for action in terms of schools being fenced properly inside and outside for children go to school safely without being exposed threats.
He said, “So it is important for Nigeria government at federal and state levels to increase finances because without adequate funding nothing will happen. The school infrastructure and other safety measures should be funded appropriately.
“There is need for well fianced schools and provision of security personnel inside schools in places especially in the conflict zones. We need to secure and protect schools in vulnerable areas in BAY states and other conflicts zone in the country.”
Sadiq Abubakar, Focal Person Education in Emergency Working Group (EIEWG), who is also executive director, Centre for Advocacy, Transparency & Accountability Initiative lamented that around the world, attacks on schools have surged by 44 percent, leaving thousands of children and teachers killed, abducted, or traumatised.
He opined that these violations not only rob children of their right to education but also threaten the future of entire communities.
“Over 13 years of insurgency a lot has happened in term of destruction and effect on the education but despite that government had done significant well in terms of rebuilding but there is need for more manpower and adequate funding of education sectors which is the hallmark of meaningful society development,” he said.
He urged for strengthening of advocacy, partnerships, and action to ensure schools remain safe spaces of hope and learning, not targets of violence.
Also, Benjamin John, Executive Director, CASFORD, said the event underscores importance of commemorate the International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack under the theme “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Action.
He urged the governments to rake proactive measures to ensure are safe during the emergency and prioritise protection children in the conflict zones areas.
