Save the Children International in Nigeria has sounded an urgent alarm over the persistent attacks on schools in the country.
These attacks, particularly in Nigeria’s northeastern, northwestern, and northcentral regions, continue to threaten the safety of students and teachers while jeopardising children’s right to quality education.
According to the recently released “Education Under Attack Report 2024” by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attacks (GCPEA), schools across Nigeria have increasingly been used for military purposes, especially by non-state armed groups.
The report highlights that these attacks, coupled with the ongoing armed conflicts and violence, have had devastating effects on educational institutions, especially in conflict-affected areas.
Attacks on schools disproportionately impact girls, making them more vulnerable to child marriage, teenage pregnancies, stigmatisation, and psychological distress. Such issues significantly reduce the likelihood of these girls returning to school, robbing them of opportunities to build a better future.
The broader societal consequences include a breakdown in human capital development, with long-term effects on Nigeria’s growth.
Former speaker of Borno State Children’s Parliament and a Save the Children Nigeria Girl Champion, Hon Madina Abdulkadir said, “Every time a school is targeted, a child’s dream is shattered.
“We must come together as a nation to protect education, ensure peace, and provide every child with the safe learning environment they deserve.”
Country director of Save the Children Nigeria, Duncan Harvey, emphasised the critical role of education in the overall well-being of children.
“The right to education is enshrined in both international and Nigerian laws, and we have a collective responsibility to safeguard that right,” he said.
Harvey outlined the organisation’s efforts to ensure learning continuity, particularly for children in conflict zones, through programmes that support temporary learning spaces, and initiatives to reintegrate out-of-school children.
Save the Children further called on the Nigerian government to fast-track the full implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD), a global initiative aimed at protecting schools from violence and ensuring the safety of students and educators. While Nigeria has shown commitment by endorsing the SSD, Save the Children insists that more decisive actions are needed to implement its guidelines nationwide.
Additionally, the organisation urged for the adoption of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools across all states in Nigeria. This policy aims to secure schools by providing local communities with early warning systems and ensuring adequate funding for comprehensive implementation.
“As Save the Children continues its work in Nigeria, it remains committed to ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education, even in the face of conflict. The organisation has been a key player in providing emergency relief and educational support to children in Nigeria for over two decades,” it said.
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