The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has urged the Lagos State government to pass the Safe School Declaration (SSD) bill into law for the security of schools.

Emmanuela Azu, WARDC head of programmes, made the call in an interview with journalists on Monday in Lagos.

She said passing the bill into law would be a significant step towards ensuring the schools were safe and secure for students.

“The Lagos State government should pass the SSD bill into law and develop a cost plan to implement its provisions. This will ensure safe, secure schools and a conducive learning environment for the students.

“School safety encompasses not only physical security but also psychosocial and psychological supports and protection from abuse,” she said.

Ms Azu highlighted the need for the state government to address specific safety issues, such as girls’ retention in school, safe and hygienic toilet systems, perimeter fencing of schools, and psychosocial support for students.

She also emphasised the importance of developing a cost plan to implement the provisions of the law for the effective allocation of resources.

“A budget is essential to ensure that the provisions of the law are implemented effectively.

“We have already developed a cost document that we hope the Ministry of Education will adopt as a working document,” she said.

Ms Azụ expressed the hope that the state government would not take the issue of school safety for granted.

“We need to be proactive and take steps to ensure that our schools are safe and secure,” she said.

The WARDC programme officer urged the government at all levels to adopt and implement the national policy on safety, security and violence-free schools.

“Adopt and implement the national/state financing plan for immediate resources for schools and domesticate the Safe School Declaration as a law,” she added.

(NAN)