From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has announced its intention to recommend the establishment of a dedicated fund for school security across the country. This initiative aims to enhance security measures in schools and protect students from attacks by terrorists and kidnappers.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in his address welcoming members back from the Easter/Sallah break, expressed deep concern over the increasing number of attacks on schools. He condemned these acts as heinous and direct attacks on the future of Nigeria, depriving children of their right to education and safe childhood.
Abbas emphasised the need for comprehensive policies to improve school security in collaboration with security agencies. He stated, “We are painfully aware of the harrowing attacks that have specifically targeted our schools, where innocent children, especially girls, are abducted. Schools, which should be sanctuaries of learning and safety, have become targets for terrorists and kidnappers.”
“These acts are not only heinous but are direct attacks on the future of Nigeria and rob children of their right to education and secure childhood. The implications of these assaults stretch far beyond the immediate pain and disruption they cause. They sow fear in communities, discourage school attendance, and potentially stifle the education of a generation. We must not allow the ambitions of our children to be thwarted by fear.”
To address this critical issue, the House recommends the establishment of a dedicated school safety fund. This fund will support the implementation of advanced security measures, including training security personnel and communities on strategies for protecting educational environments. Recognizing the financial implications, the model can be initially piloted in vulnerable schools.