September 15, (THEWILL) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and stakeholders have urged the governments at all levels to increase funding to protect education sectors, especially in the conflict-affected areas in the country.
Muhammad Riaz, an Education Manager and Sector Coordinator at UNICEF Nigeria, made this appeal during an event organised to commemorate the International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack under the theme “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Action” held in Maiduguri.
He further emphasised there is a need for the government to ensure schools are not only safe but also secure and free from attacks by non-state armed groups.
According to him, Nigeria was the first country which signed the call for safe school declaration globally, noting that it’s a demonstration of commitment to ensure that all schools in Nigeria are safe from all sorts of harm and violence, but the wrangling of funding is a challenge.
He further noted that it is a call for action in terms of schools being fenced properly inside and outside for children to go to school safely without being exposed to threats.
He said, “So it is important for the Nigerian government at federal and state levels to increase finances because without adequate funding, nothing will happen. The school infrastructure and other safety measures should be funded appropriately.
“There is a need for well-facilitated schools and provision of security personnel inside schools in places, especially in the conflict zones. We need to secure and protect schools in vulnerable areas in BAY states and other conflict zones in the country.”
Sadiq Abubakar, Focal Person Education in Emergency Working Group (EIEWG) and who is also executive director, Centre For Advocacy, Transparency & Accountability Initiative CATAI lamented that around the world, attacks on schools have surged by 44%, leaving thousands of children and teachers killed, abducted, or traumatised.
He opined that these violations not only rob children of their right to education but also threaten the future of entire communities.
“Over 13 years of insurgency, a lot has happened in terms of destruction and effect on the education, but despite that government has done significant well in terms of rebuilding, but there is a need for more manpower and adequate funding of education sectors, which is the hallmark of meaningful society development”, he said.
He urged the strengthening of advocacy, partnerships, and action to ensure schools remain safe spaces of hope and learning, not targets of violence.
Also, Benjamin John, Executive Director, CASFORD, said the event underscores the importance of commemorating International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack under the theme “Challenging Narratives, Reshaping Action.
He urged the governments to take proactive measures to ensure they are safe during the emergency and prioritise the protection of children in the conflict zone areas.
