UNICEF Urges Enhanced School Safety Amidst International Day of Education

UNICEF advocates for a multi-sectoral approach to enhance school safety, informed by states' performance on the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. This approach should encompass comprehensive planning, coordination, and adequate resource allocation, particularly in states facing higher risks.

Jan 25, 2024 - 13:13 Updated: Jan 26, 2024 - 14:29

UNICEF Urges Enhanced School Safety Amidst International Day of Education

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to improve school safety in Nigeria, revealing that only 43 percent of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools are currently met in approximately 6,000 assessed schools.

Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, made this disclosure on Wednesday during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Education under the theme "Learning for Lasting Peace."

Munduate highlighted Nigeria's commitment to promoting safe school environments by endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration and developing the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. However, she stressed the necessity for further progress and emphasized the collective responsibility of safeguarding the educational environment for every child.

The theme of the International Day of Education underscores the pivotal role of education in fostering peace and stability, serving as a reminder of the imperative to provide safe and secure learning environments.

Munduate also addressed the challenges faced by Nigerian children, particularly adolescent girls, whose educational pursuits are often disrupted by attacks on communities and schools, including student abductions. Recent attacks on schools have resulted in learning disruptions for over 1.3 million children, leading to precautionary school closures and highlighting the urgent need to comprehensively address school safety issues.

UNICEF advocates for a multi-sectoral approach to enhance school safety, informed by states' performance on the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. This approach should encompass comprehensive planning, coordination, and adequate resource allocation, particularly in states facing higher risks.

Furthermore, Munduate underscored the significance of alternative learning platforms like the Nigerian Learning Passport, which offers curriculum-aligned materials and plays a crucial role in ensuring educational continuity, especially during periods of school closures.

The call by UNICEF for concerted efforts to improve school safety reflects the ongoing challenges in ensuring a secure learning environment for Nigerian children and underscores the importance of prioritizing their well-being and educational opportunities.