The House of Representatives has recommended the establishment of a dedicated fund to ensure the efficient implementation of the Safe School initiative.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas made the recommendation on Tuesday at the resumption of plenary in Abuja.

He said the house is painfully aware of the harrowing attacks that have specifically “targeted our schools, where innocent children, especially girls, are abducted.”

According to him, schools, which should be sanctuaries of learning and safety, have become targets for terrorists and kidnappers.

Mr Abbas said, “These acts are not only heinous but are direct attacks on the future of Nigeria, which will rob children of their right to education and secure childhood. The implications of these assaults stretch far beyond the immediate pain and disruption they cause.

“They sow fear in communities, discourage school attendance, and potentially stifle the education of a generation. We must not allow the ambitions of our children to be thwarted by fear; the house stands united with our armed forces and will advocate for comprehensive strategies to safeguard our schools.”

The speaker added, “This involves not only physical security measures such as fencing, security personnel, and surveillance technologies but also community-based strategies that involve local leaders in our security framework.

“On our part, we will continue to ensure that our security agencies have the necessary tools and legislation to act effectively. To this end, we recommend the establishment of a dedicated fund specifically for school safety.”

The speaker explained that the fund will support the implementation of advanced security measures and training security personnel and communities on strategies for protecting educational environments.

Mr Abbas said, due to financial requirements, the model could be piloted in a few schools, especially those most vulnerable to attacks. 

(NAN)