UNICEF has disclosed that recent assaults on schools, notably in the North East and North West regions in 2021, have disrupted the education of over 1.3 million children, prompting the need for precautionary school closures. The UN agency underscored the immediate need for a comprehensive approach to address school safety.
On the occasion of the International Day of Education, Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF representative in Nigeria, stated that a recent assessment revealed that approximately 43 percent of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools are met in around 6,000 evaluated schools.
This particular finding underscores the difficulties in ensuring the safety of school infrastructure and addressing risks such as violence, conflict, and natural disasters. Nigeria had previously demonstrated its commitment to establishing secure school environments by endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration and formulating the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.
The educational journey of many students is frequently disrupted by attacks on communities and schools, including student abductions. These challenges disproportionately affect adolescent girls, potentially impeding the progress achieved in girls’ education in Nigeria.
In addition to these initiatives, UNICEF stresses the significance of alternative learning platforms like the Nigerian Learning Passport. This digital platform, boasting over 750,000 users, provides curriculum-aligned materials and plays a crucial role in ensuring educational continuity, particularly during periods of school closures.
UNICEF reaffirms its dedication to collaborating with the Nigerian government, donors, and all stakeholders to guarantee that every child has access to a secure, inclusive, and high-quality education.