The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in its latest report that 37 per cent of schools across 10 states of the federation have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, who made the revelation in a press release yesterday, called for the prioritisation of education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children.
He called on the Nigerian government, partners, and the international community to take decisive steps to ensure that all schools in the country have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focusing on the most vulnerable regions in the country.
She also said the government should strengthen law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abductions.
“UNICEF released today the ‘Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS) Monitoring Report,’ revealing a stark reality: the journey toward ensuring every Nigerian child can learn in a safe environment is far from over.
“Most notably, the report shows that just 37 per cent of schools across 10 states have early warning systems in place to identify threats, such as school attacks,” she said.
The UNICEF representative added: “The kidnapping of the Chibok girls was a wake-up call to the severe risks our children face in their pursuit of education.
“As Nigeria marks 10 years since the mass Chibok abductions in the North-east, 90 girls remain in captivity, and the country is recovering from another abduction of schoolchildren in Kaduna State in March of this year. UNICEF is calling for intensified efforts to protect the country’s most vulnerable population – its children.
“Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s futures must be amplified. Given these alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis.
“Education is a fundamental right and a crucial pathway out of poverty. Yet, for too many Nigerian children, it remains an unattainable dream.”
