By Abubakar Baba Ahmad
The Bauchi State Government has inaugurated the State Safe School Steering Committee towards protecting over two million learners across public and private schools in the state.
This is part of measures to institutionalise sustainable and well-coordinated mechanisms for the protection of schools and learners across the state.
Inaugurating the Committee, the State Governor Bala Mohammed said the step followed a directive by the Federal government through the Minister of Education due to the evolving security challenges affecting educational institutions nationwide.
Bala Mohammed, represented by the Commissioner of Education, Abdulkadir Ibrahim said the committee was constituted to as part of response to a recent assessment showing gaps to include inadequate perimeter fencing, limited early-warning mechanisms, insufficient emergency preparedness and the lack of collaboration between schools and security agencies.
He emphasized the need to ensure schools in the state are safe, for increased enrolment and retention, improved quality of learning, as well as make it a model for safe education in the North-East.
“Bauchi State has over 2 million learners in public and private schools. Our recent assessments have highlighted important gaps, including inadequate perimeter fencing, limited early-warning mechanisms, insufficient emergency preparedness and the need for stronger collaboration between schools and security agencies. We cannot afford to wait until an incident occurs,” the Governor stated.
The 27-member Committee has the Commissioner of Education as Chairman, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education as Co-Chair, and the Director Planning, Research and Statistics and Desk Officer Safe School in the ministry as Secretary.
Other members include the Chairman House Committee on Education, all Directors in the Ministry, AGILE Project Coordinator, representatives of Ministries of Justice, Budget and Economic Planning, Health, Water Resources, Finance, Agriculture, Housing and Environment.
The rest include relevant government agencies and associations particularly under the education sector, development partners, CSOs, and Security agencies to include SUBEB, BASAME, BASANE, BASEPA, SEMA, NOA, ACReSAL, UNICEF, SISWACHI, YLN, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Civil Defence, Peace Corps of Nigeria, ALGON, PTA, SBMC, NAPPS, and CSACEFA.
Terms of Reference of the Committee is to will develop and review school safety policies and frameworks, guide and monitor implementation of safe school programmes, oversee school risk and vulnerability assessments, establish indicators and reporting frameworks, and review progress reports.
The Committee is also expected to support the domestication of the national safe school policy, assess safety of schools, promote training and awareness, strengthen coordination with security agencies and ensure that every school, public or private, has a practical School Safety Plan.