Protecting Our Schools

For many years, Nigeria has continued to witness a heartbreaking wave of violence against the education sector and, in particular, the schools where young minds are supposed to be formed. These institutions that should be sanctuaries for learning and growth, have become battlegrounds for terror and despair.

As we reflect on the grim statistics provided by Save the Children, a nongovernmental organisation(NGO), it is evident that the nation as a whole must urgently address the issue of protecting the schools from kidnappers and bandits.

According to a report by the NGO, since the infamous abduction of 276 students in Chibok, Borno state, in 2014, over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped. The consequences of these heinous acts are devastating, with over 180 students losing their lives, nearly 90 sustaining injuries, and countless more scarred off the school system as a result of the trauma of these experiences.

In addition to the students, 60 school staff members were kidnapped, and 14 lost their lives in these attacks. Twenty-five school buildings were also destroyed. In the considered opinion of this newspaper, these figures are not just statistics; they represent the shattered dreams of our nation’s youth and the erosion of hope in the education system.

In the wake of the Chibok tragedy, the Safe Schools Initiative was launched in 2014 with the noble aim of securing our educational institutions. This initiative, a collaboration between Nigerian business leaders, the United Nations, and global education advocates, sought to create an environment where students could learn and grow without fear.

The launch of the initiative raised a substantial $30 million, which held the promise of safeguarding the schools and nurturing a generation of educated, empowered youth. However, the dream of safe schools remains painfully elusive. The attacks on schools, particularly in the northern region of the country, persist, casting a long shadow over the education system.

The rising spate of attacks and the abduction of students have not only disrupted learning but have also instilled fear in the hearts of parents and students alike. The critical question we must ask today is, “What is the status of the Safe Schools Initiative, and where has the $30 million fund raised during its launch gone?”

A recent investigation by this newspaper revealed that, years after the launch of the Safe Schools Initiative, many states have yet to benefit from its protective measures. This revelation is deeply concerning, as it implies that the very institutions tasked with securing our schools have fallen short of their promises. In the face of growing insecurity and attacks on schools, it is imperative that we hold those responsible for the initiative accountable and demand transparency regarding the allocation and utilisation of the funds.

The consequences of this insecurity in our education system are dire. Nigeria is home to a significant portion of the world’s out-of-school children, with approximately 12.4 percent of them residing in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These children, denied access to education due to insecurity, are robbed of their future and the opportunity to contribute positively to the larger society. It is not enough to acknowledge the problem; we must act decisively to protect our schools and ensure a brighter future for the children.

We demand a thorough and transparent audit of the Safe Schools Fund to ensure that the money is being used for its intended purpose. This audit should be conducted by an independent body to guarantee impartiality and transparency.

The government must prioritise the security of our schools. This includes deploying more security personnel to vulnerable areas, enhancing intelligence gathering, and implementing effective early warning systems.

Communities play a crucial role in the safety of their schools. They must be actively engaged in protecting the educational institutions and sharing vital information with security agencies. Students and staff who have been victims of attacks need access to counseling and mental health support to help them heal from their traumatic experiences.

Regrettably, in our opinion, we remember cases of the freed Chibok girls who expressed a desire to reunite with their terrorist captors. That speaks volumes of the state of the nation. Consequently, the state of insecurity in schools is a stain on national conscience. We cannot continue to watch as the hopes and dreams of our children are extinguished by violence and fear.

The Safe Schools Initiative, with its substantial funding, was meant to be a beacon of hope, but its effectiveness remains questionable We urge the government and stakeholders to prioritise the safety of our schools, to be transparent about the allocation of funds, and to take swift action to protect the future of our nation. Our children deserve nothing less. It is time to protect our schools and save our future.

(leadership.ng)