From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has said that the activities of bandits, kidnappers and other non-state actors have disrupted socio-economic activities in affected communities and are threatening the educational revitalization programme in the state.
He said this in his remarks at the Capa Building Programmes organized by the Nigeria Police Force Schools Protection Squad in Kaduna.
According to him, the State’s educational system is facing a crisis of declining enrolment, with over 200,000 fewer primary school pupils recorded in the 2022/2023 academic session compared to the previous year.
This dramatic drop from 2,111,969 in 2021/2022 to 1,734,704 in 2022/2023) is largely attributed to insecurity.
Gov Sani added that in several Local Government Areas (LGAs), particularly in Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, and Igabi insecurity has forced school consolidation, further pushing up the number of out-of-school children.
“Incidents like the kidnapping of 135 students from the LEA Primary and Junior Secondary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government tragically illustrate the devastating impact of insecurity on education access and safety,” he said.
He however said that to ensure that the education of children in conflict-prone and terrorist-infested areas is not interrupted, his administration has commenced the merging of 359 schools with those in safe locations.
He disclosed that the government is also implementing a SAFE SCHOOL PROGRAMME to strengthen security in primary and secondary schools.
“We are collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force which is currently training a Schools Protection Squad (SPS). We have made adequate budgetary provisions for the effective implementation of our Safe School Program.PROGRAM to strengthen the security in primary and secondary schools.
“We are collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force which is currently training a Schools Protection Squad (SPS). We have made adequate budgetary provision for the effective implementation of our Safe School Programme.”
Gov. Sani outlined prevention measures taken by his administration including the fencing of schools,
Establishment of Security and Safety Response Committees with membership drawn from schools and communities, deployment of Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS) to schools, and provision of emergency line to schools.
Other measures include Security Awareness Training for School Managers, teaching and non-teaching staff, and School Management Committee members, Construction of Muster Points in Schools training on the identification of Early Warning Signs, and the Construction of Watch Towers in schools.
The Governor opined that civic vigilance is essentially about the will of the people and how they express such will in securing their environment and their future.
“In recognition of the fact that our main weapon against terrorists, bandits, and insurgents are the people because these criminal elements live among them, the Kaduna State Government has developed a framework for psychological operations, aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people.
“We have been holding regular meetings with elders, religious leaders, youth, women and development associations.
“We are resilient people. What our people have gone through and still going through is enough to break the spirits of people in other climes.
“To renew the confidence of our people and restart the process of rebuilding local economies, we must assist security forces and our people to acquire new skill sets.
“Managing risks, investing in resilience, and responding to shocks when they occur is a shared responsibility of governments, communities, and the private sector.
“I hope that this capacity building programme will not only equip the participants with the skills and techniques of coping in challenging security situations but will develop a Framework for Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication to Win the Hearts and Minds of Citizens in Conflicts Challenged Communities.
“Security forces must hold regular meetings with elders, religious leaders, representatives of youth and women groups. Consultative Committees on Security should be formed in communities, with membership drawn from security forces and key stakeholders.
“They can play a key role in gathering intelligence, mobilizing the citizens on security and development issues, as well as nipping potential crisis in the bud.
“The theme of this Capacity Building program “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education” is apt.
“No nation can achieve its human capital development goals, and make giant developmental strides if it fails to guarantee the safety and security of schools.
“And for you to effectively guarantee the safety and security of schools, you must build the capacity of security forces and communities to anticipate, prepare for, reduce the impact of, cope with, and recover from the effects of shocks and stresses.
“It follows therefore that security forces must integrate host communities in their security plans and execute effective Psychological Operations to win the hearts and minds of the people.
“I commend the Federal Government for launching the N144.8 Billion Safe Schools Financing Plan in 2022. The plan was developed through rigorous consultative strategic engagements with all relevant stakeholders in the education and security sectors, at national and sub-national levels.
“It is gratifying to note that in furtherance of this plan, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has established the Schools Protection Squad (SPS), a proactive initiative aimed at enhancing security and safety in educational institutions across Nigeria.”
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Audu Ali Dabigi said the establishment of the School Protection Squad signifies a monumental step towards ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions, which is the bedrock of our society.
CP Dabigi explained that it is a testament to a collective commitment to safeguarding the future of children and fostering an environment conducive to learning and development.
“As we embark on this journey, let us remember the importance of collaboration and unity in achieving our goals.
“Together, with the support of our community stakeholders, we can overcome any challenge and create a safer, more secure environment for our students, teachers, and staff.
“I urge every one of us to embrace the mission of the School Protection Squad wholeheartedly and to work tirelessly towards its success. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every child in Kaduna State has the opportunity to pursue his/her education in a safe and secure environment.”
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the SAFE Schools program, Halima Iliya said that the Government is mindful of its responsibility to create a safer and more secure teaching, learning, and living environment for her children has taken several steps in this direction.
” In 2014, as part of efforts to tackle these crises, the Federal Government launched the Safe School Initiative (SSI). The Initiative was to enable children affected by conflict and insecurity to continue with their education unhindered. On 31 December 2019, FG formally signed the Safe Schools Declaration Ratification Documents, signaling the country’s commitment to its implementation.
She said” What we are witnessing today is the implementation of the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools (2023-2026). The Plan has a total investment of N144.8 billion and the Federal Government has released N15 billion in 2023, to the implementing agencies. these agencies are the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Police, NSCDC, DSS, and Defense Headquarters.
“The Federal Government is committed to ensuring funding is available for full implementation of the National Plan.
“The objective of the Plan is to build security resilience in host communities, strengthen detection, deterrence, and response capabilities of security personnel, to integrate host communities into a security architecture, early warning, and intelligence gathering, amongst others.
“The implementation is in phases starting with Most at Risk States, which Kaduna State is considered to be among the pilot states, faced with the recent kidnapping of over 100 pupils by non-state actors in Kuriga Community. I would like to commend the Inspector General of Police Kayode Ebetokun who has taken proactive measures by establishing the Safe Schools Squad and are deployed across the country,” she said.
