The turmoil in education in Northern Nigeria

The menace of kidnapping which is growing at an alarming rate is no doubt a war declared on education and government, relevant stakeholders, and NGOs’ efforts in curbing the high rate of children that are out of school in Northern region.

The North in several reports has been found to be left behind in education, compared to its counterparts in the South.

The recent rise in banditry in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto has created panic in the minds of citizens, as no one knows who might be the next victim.

Despite the recent appointment of new service chiefs by the president, the menace keeps growing at an alarming rate. The bandits do not only kidnap people and set villages ablaze but have resorted to attacking schools.

All the recent incidents of kidnapping in schools will no doubt send shiver down the spine of parents and guardians and force them to keep their children out of school for their safety, which in turn will create a huge setback to the several efforts at reducing the level of illiteracy in the North.

As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is a powerful weapon with which we can change the world”. No nation can progress without education.

Therefore, government needs to employ new tactics in addressing the issue of insecurity and attacks on schools. It is essential to create a favourable environment where students can learn without fear and parents will be confident to send their children to school.

Hajara Abdullahi, Dept of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano