Stakeholders at a one-day summit on safe schools have pledged their commitment to safeguarding schools from attacks.

The summit was organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in collaboration with Plan International.

The event was also held to commemorate the International Day to Protect Education from Attacks, part of an effort to raise public awareness about issues that disrupt the educational system.

The theme of the summit is ‘Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North Western Nigeria’.

In a communique read by Nabibi Edward, participants urged authorities to provide a perimeter fence with gates at all schools to control the entrances and exits of students, teachers, and others.

Participants urged authorities to engage community members on the importance of safe school initiatives, raise awareness, establish security committees, implement a surveillance network, and install CCTV cameras. They also called for the recruitment of retired security personnel to provide security in schools.

Participants also advised that uniformed men should be barred from entering school premises. They also urged authorities to stop using school structures as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

They reiterated the importance of emergency planning, modern communication strategies, traditional leadership, and community engagement in effectively safeguarding schools. Participants further called for training for teachers and the children on safety in schools.

The commissioner for basic and secondary education, Ladan Ala, said measures were underway to ensure schools remain safe, secure, and free from violence.

Mr Ala explained that the government delayed the reopening of some boarding schools to make adequate security arrangements, ensuring students’ safety before resumption. He commended participants for identifying challenges hindering efforts to achieve a safe and secure learning environment across the state.

The commissioner called for 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.

Plan International representative, Joseph Julius, said the Safe Schools Declaration is an international political commitment that calls on governments to safeguard education during armed conflict.

“The UN Assembly resolution affirms that governments have the primary responsibility to provide protection and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels to all learners, especially those in vulnerable situations.

“It emphasises the need to intensify efforts and increase funding to promote safe and protective school environments by taking all feasible measures to protect schools, learners, and educational personnel from attack. Refrain from actions that impede children’s access to education, and facilitate access to education in situations of armed conflict,” he explained.

(NAN)