Within the past decade, non-state actors in Nigeria have abducted more than 1,680 children and caused the deaths of approximately 180 in attacks on schools, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In commemoration of the 10-year anniversary of the mass abduction of school girls in Chibok, Susan Akila, UNICEF’s Communication Specialist, called for immediate measures to protect and promote children’s access to education in Nigeria. UNICEF bemoans the fact that even after 10 years since the first incident occurred, there are still ongoing attacks on 70 schools in 10 states, citing a lack of effective warning systems for detecting potential abductions by non-state actors.
Recent reports of violence in schools have heightened concerns, particularly with the increasing number of student abductions. This threat is significantly impacting children’s education, as evidenced by the staggering one million students hesitant to attend school in 2021. The Policy Weekly report by Nextier also reported that approximately 11,500 schools closed in 2020 due to these attacks. UNICEF urged for increased actions to safeguard the children who are the most vulnerable ones in the nation. The organization has published the ‘Monitoring Report on Minimum Standards for Safe Schools (MSSS), which uncovers a harsh truth that the goal of providing a secure learning environment for every Nigerian child is still a long way off.
There is a need to increase our efforts in protecting children.
According to the report, only 37 percent of schools in 10 states are equipped with early warning systems to detect potential threats like school attacks. The abduction of the Chibok girls brought attention to the dangers children encounter while seeking education, Ms. Akila cited UNICEF’s Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate. In light of the recent tragic events and kidnappings, it is clear that we need to increase our efforts in protecting the future of our children. Although education is essential and can lead to a better life, many Nigerian children still find it hard to access it, trapping them in poverty.
As per the analysis, Ms. Munduate said disparities were found in the implementation of safe school standards across Nigerian states, focusing on six key areas: strong school system, violence against children, natural hazards, conflict, everyday hazards, and safe school infrastructure. Borno State stood out with a 70 percent compliance with the standards, showcasing a strong dedication to child safety despite facing challenges. Yobe State also showed encouraging advancements in this regard. On the other hand, Kaduna and Sokoto states are falling far behind, with only a quarter of fulfillment rates reached in each – 25 percent for Kaduna and 26 percent for Sokoto.
Only 36% of schools have staff trained in natural hazard response.
Despite schools being adequately equipped to train school-based management committees on safety and addressing children’s well-being concerns, only a mere 14 percent of schools in the 10 evaluated states have operational, secure infrastructure. Additionally, only 36 percent of schools have staff trained in natural hazard response. UNICEF Nigeria called upon the government, partners, and the global community to promptly address the lack of resources and tools in schools nationwide, emphasizing the urgent need to adhere to the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, particularly in marginalized areas.
Focusing on ensuring that schools have adequate infrastructure and are prepared for disasters, conflicts, and violence is essential. It is also important to improve law enforcement and security to safeguard schools and communities from attacks. Emphasizing education and child protection in national policies and budgeting will help create a safer and more inclusive environment for Nigerian children. Ms. Akila emphasized the importance of maintaining educational opportunities during school closures by utilizing various learning resources, including radio and TV broadcasts and online platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport.
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In her statement, she mentioned that UNICEF is collaborating with the government to guarantee that all children have access to secure educational settings. She highlighted the agency’s involvement in establishing safe school steering committees at the state level and developing cost plans for safe schools in 13 states. Additionally, she emphasized that UNICEF offers school grants, safety equipment, training, and awareness campaigns to expedite the adoption of Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. Ms. Munduate emphasized the importance of jointly rebuilding trust between educational institutions and host communities to create safe havens for education and development.
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