From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Worried by the renewed attacks on schools by armed groups, Borno State government and some development partners have organized an education summit to review safety around schools across the state and education inclusiveness.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science Technology Engr Lawan Wakilbe while reviewing the education sector in Borno since 2021 in his presentation at the summit in Maiduguri weekend, said the theme of the summit- Strengthening Safe, Inclusive and Gender Responsive Education: Building Back Better, focuses on addressing gaps and making the education system better.
Wakilbe said the abduction of 42 school students at Mussa on 15th May and another 32 with one teacher at Lassa all in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, a month ago, necessitated the conduct of an education summit.
“We thought we had gone beyond this. So it is good to now look at school safety policy declaration document that was domiciled since 2021 and call for training on school safety initiative and look for gaps in our safe school system ahead the 2026/27 session,” he explained.
”
He said Borno government has rebuilt all scjools destroyed by terrorists in the nearly two decade of violence in the state. He said government strongly pushed its second chance programme to create access to thousands of young people who were forced out of School for years by terrorist attacks
“As at 2019, we had two million out-of-school children. We brought the figure down to leas down 800,000,” he disclosed, calling on citizens to support government education programme.
The commissioner said the Education Submit was founded by Malala Foundation and Implemented by eight partners including Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD) and Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) engaged in child protection, interventions and support programme in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
CASFOD Executive Director, Benjamin John said school safety became a national discourse after the 2014 Chibok Schoolgirls abduction. “We thought school abduction has ended but we were wrong,” he noted.
He said access, security and community response are the key concern now. He appealed to parent’s to support their children to go to school
The summit was attended by education experts, State officials, academics, development partners, top security officers, traditional leaders and students.
Pic: Panel session at the Borno Education Summit weekend
(The Sun)