Stakeholders at a one-day state summit have pledged their commitment to providing support toward protecting schools in Katsina from attacks by criminals.

The summit, held on Tuesday in Katsina, was organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to mark the sixth International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

The event, with the theme ‘Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Action’, was organised in collaboration with Save the Children International and GoalPrime Nigeria, with funding support from Education Cannot Wait.

The Commissioner for Education, Zainab Musa-Musawa, commended participants for identifying challenges hindering efforts to achieve a safe and secure learning environment across the state.

She said measures were underway to ensure schools remain safe, secure, and free from violence. She explained that the government delayed reopening boarding schools to make adequate security arrangements, ensuring the safety of pupils before resumption.

Ms Musa-Musawa stressed that the government is addressing all challenges to guarantee secure learning environments for pupils across the state. She further revealed that disciplinary action had been taken against underperforming teachers, with some salaries stopped, leading to noticeable improvements in teaching standards.

Tijjani Umar, director of Social Protection at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, stated that a social protection policy was signed by Governor Dikko Radda in December 2023. He added that the state had also developed an annual operational plan and a five-year strategic plan for the social sector to support educational safety.

NSCDC representative Kabir Masanawa underlined the importance of emergency planning, traditional leadership, and community engagement in effectively safeguarding pupils.

Representing CSOs, Kabir Kurfi stated that they remain committed to ensuring school safety and addressing disciplinary issues, with representatives present across all 361 wards of the state.

The director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mukhtar Abdulmuminu, urged a collective commitment to keeping schools safe, describing them as havens of hope and knowledge.

He restated that governments, communities, partners, parents, and stakeholders must unite to protect schools, support teachers, and eliminate barriers that limit access to quality education.

Hamisu Dalhatu, chairman of the State School-Based Management Committee, assured that the committee would sustain efforts to protect Katsina’s education system. Mr Dalhatu urged authorities to ensure displaced children return to school and engage young people in issues affecting their education.

(NAN)