Non-state Actors Force Closure Of 439 Schools – UNICEF

Chief of Field Office United Nations Children‘s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Tushar Rane, has lamented the closure of 439 schools in 2023 across the country due to occupation by state actors, non-state actors, fear of attack, or other related reasons.

He said, „From the data obtained from the studies conducted by UNICEF in 2023 439 schools were closed down as a result of occupation by state actors, non-state actors for fear of attack.“Rane made the disclosure in Jos during the inauguration of Plateau State Safe School Steering Committee held at the new Government house Jos.

According to him, Nigeria has made significant progress in demonstrating its commitment to ending violence in education through the initiation of various policies to ensure the safety of students and teachers both within and beyond school premises.

Rane explained that these include the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI), the Domestication of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD), the establishment of Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools (NPSSVFS).

He commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, for responding to the global initiative dedicated to ending violence in and through schools by inaugurating the Plateau Safe Schools Committee to promote safety in schools.

Rane further said the committee will lead the domestication of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, which include entrenching a strong school system; curtailing violence against children; mitigating the impact of natural hazards; and conflict; and promoting safe school infrastructure.

He urged the Governor to urgently prioritize further interventions and funding to widen safe school efforts in every school across the state adding that after the inauguration, UNICEF and the state government will facilitate the training of the members of the committee.

„The training aims to strengthen their capacities for effective delivery in the task ahead. They will also develop an action plan and budget that will guide the implementation of safe school initiatives in the state,“ he said.