The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Safe Schools Programme to ensure that every Nigerian child learns in a secure environment, free from fear or threat of attack.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abel Enitan, gave the assurance on Tuesday during the commemoration of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack (IDEA).

The 2025 theme is “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Actions.”

Represented by the Director of Human Resource Management, Yusuf Saheed, Mr Enitan rejected the notion that insecurity in schools was inevitable.

He asserted that every child deserved the right to learn in peace.

He said, “We are changing the way we implement the Safe Schools Programme, moving beyond rhetoric to real, coordinated action.’’

Mr Enitan noted that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda placed education at the core of national development.

Through the Safe Schools Declaration, he said the ministry was collaborating with state governments, security agencies, and development partners to train teachers, strengthen reporting systems, and build resilience in learning environments nationwide.

While acknowledging ongoing insecurity in some regions, he praised the determination of learners who continued their education in spite of adversity, calling them an inspiration for increased government action.

He added, “Protecting education is not the work of government alone. It requires the active involvement of communities, parents, teachers, and partners. Together, we must dismantle old narratives of fear and replace them with new realities of safety, resilience, and hope.’’

Also speaking, Director of School Safety, Hussaini Abdullahi, emphasised the government’s shift from reactive measures to proactive strategies that ensured safer learning environments.

He called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively to prevent any child’s education from being disrupted by insecurity or fear.

UNICEF Chief of Education, Vanessa Lee, pledged continued support to the Nigerian government in its efforts to make schools safe, secure, and conducive for learning.

She highlighted the crucial role of teachers as the first line of support for learners, stressing the need for their continuous training and empowerment.

Ms Lee also acknowledged the importance of infrastructure, support staff, and school-based management committees (SBMCs) in creating safe, nurturing spaces where children could learn and grow into responsible citizens.

She said, “All of you play a very important role in advocating for finance and for policies that will keep children safe in schools so that they can learn.”

The National Team Lead for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE), Gboyega Ilusanya, reiterated the agency’s commitment to support the Nigerian government in strengthening school safety.

Represented by Amy Oyekunle, National Safeguarding Advisor, Mr Ilusanya said the support aimed to ensure uninterrupted learning, even in emergencies.

He said, “On this International Day to Protect Education from Attack, we stand in solidarity with the children, teachers, parents, and communities across Nigeria who continue to bear the heavy burden of insecurity in our schools. Education is not a privilege but a right, the key to freedom, opportunity, and national progress.’’

He also highlighted FCDO-PLANE’s ongoing interventions since 2021 in Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa States, including support for the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.

‘He said, “School safety is a critical contributor to positive student, teacher, and school-level outcomes. These efforts remind us that progress is possible when we commit to collective action.’’

(NAN)