Home Education Insecurity Resposible For Increasing Out Of School Children – FG

Insecurity Resposible For Increasing Out Of School Children – FG

 

By Princess-Ekwi Ajide,  Abuja

As the world marks the 2022 International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the Federal Government of Nigeria has promised it will not sheild from its duties of protecting schools in the country from all forms of attack.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in his adrress to commeorate the day which is the third edition since its proclamation in 2020 by the United Nations General Assembly, noted that the essence of the day is to raise awareness on myriad issues confronting the education system and draw attention to the need to promote the right to education, protect education against insecurity, emergency and humanitarian
situations and as well strengthen efforts and increase funding, to encourage safe and protective environments in areas of humanitarian emergencies.

He said education has been under threat over the world citing a report by Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), which showed that between 2015 and 2019 over 93 countries of the world have witnessed at least one form of attack on education and Nigeria is not spared of the menace.

The Minister emphasized that the incessant attacks on the country’s education system meted out in forms of kidnapping, abduction of pupils and students, banditry, increased activities of insurgence and general insecurity in schools have exacerbated the many factors responsible for the growing number of out-of-School children.

According to him, out of School Children are easy targets of abuse, exploitation and recruitment by armed bandits and groups but education can be a lifesaver hence schools should be able to provide safe spaces where children can be protected from threats and crises.

This the Minister said is the reason education is regarded as one of the most important investments a country can make for its future owing to its potentials in bringing about change in every aspect of development as well as driving long-term economic growth noting that the benefits of education are numerous to individuals and to the society as the success of each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals depend on education.

He reaffirmed that government has the primary responsibility to provide protection and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels for all learners, especially those in vulnerable situations for according to him, an educated society is heathier and has higher rates of economic stability, lower crime rates, better civic involvement and greater equality.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andrew Adejo, reechoed the fact that incessant kidnappings abductions and destruction of education infrastructures lead to massive increase in the number of out of school children regardless of all the efforts by the Ministry to reduce the number.

He lamented that students that were abducted, kidnapped and released undergo emotional trauma that may lead to abandoning education and life-long learning which led the ministry to embark on measures such as the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence- Free schools, the implementation guidelines and the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools to ensure that the safety of the school, learners and the school community is a collective endeavor.

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