Education Day: UNICEF urges immediate action on school safety

TIP tasks govt to prioritise education

UNITED Nations Children's Fund ( UNICEF) has urged the Nigerian government to develop immediate action towards boosting the safety of students in school.

This was as The Inclusion Project ( TIP) called on government at all levels to prioritise education by injecting more funds and ensuring safe and quality basic education for all.

In a message, yesterday, to mark the International Day of Education, UNICEF cited a recent evaluation, which indicates that, on average, only 43 per cent of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools are met in about 6,000 schools assessed.

United Nations General Assembly ( UNGA) proclaimed January 24 as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

Theme of this year’s edition, ‘ Learning for Lasting Peace’ reminds us of the crucial role education plays in promoting peace and stability. It serves as a reminder to all stakeholders – including governments, development partners, civil society, communities, and educators – of the importance of providing safe learning environments.

Acknowledging the significant progress made in providing access to education for 7.2 million children in humanitarian settings across Nigeria, UNICEF thanked the collaborative efforts of government, donors, and partners.

However, alongside this recognition, the agency highlights the need for concerted efforts to enhance school safety in Nigeria.

UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, said: “While Nigeria has shown a commitment to creating safe school environments through endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration and developing the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, there is room for further progress.”