By Janet Salihu
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative, with closer collaboration with security agencies to safeguard schools, teachers and learners nationwide.
Alausa announced this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists after an interactive session with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education is working with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to develop a national framework that will enhance security in schools across the 774 local government areas of the country.
According to him, the Federal Government is adopting a holistic approach that goes beyond deployment of security personnel.
He said, “We are collaborating closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to develop a comprehensive Safe Schools framework. School safety cannot be handled in a fragmented manner.”
Alausa explained that the initiative would incorporate critical infrastructure and technological solutions, including perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, water and sanitation facilities, deployment of trained security personnel, surveillance technology and effective monitoring systems.
“Safe Schools is much broader than physical security. It includes perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, water and sanitation facilities, recruitment of school security personnel, deployment of technology and the establishment of effective monitoring systems,” he added.
The minister stressed that effective implementation of the programme requires a central coordinating mechanism to ensure uniform standards and accountability.
He said, “There are many components of the Safe Schools Initiative, and they require a central command-and-control structure. While the security agencies will continue to perform their constitutional responsibilities, the Federal Ministry of Education will provide policy direction, coordinate implementation with states and ensure that every school benefits from the programme.”
Earlier, while addressing members of the committee, Alausa disclosed that the ministry has established a full-fledged Safe Schools Department to drive implementation of the initiative, replacing the former unit which he described as inadequate.
He also requested that the management of the Safe Schools Fund be transferred from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure better coordination, planning and implementation.
“Since I assumed office, the only significant disbursements have been targeted interventions to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and those payments were administered through the Federal Ministry of Finance.
“We have now established a full-fledged Safe Schools Department within the Federal Ministry of Education. Previously, there was only a small unit, but we felt that was inadequate considering the importance of school safety. That is why we are seeking to have the management of the fund domiciled in the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said the issue of which ministry manages the Safe Schools Fund should not overshadow the primary objective of protecting schools.
“For us, it is not so much about who controls the budget; that is not even the most important thing. Existing government financial procedures allow the Ministry of Finance to manage certain intervention funds on behalf of the government. Between us, we will resolve those administrative issues.
“What is more important is ensuring that funding is adequate and released on time so that these crimes can be prevented rather than responding after they have occurred. Our collective focus is to keep schools safe and secure across the country,” Oyedele said.
The Chairman of the committee, Kalu, commended Alausa and Oyedele for honouring the invitation and maintaining a strong working relationship with the National Assembly.
Kalu lauded Alausa for the reforms being implemented in the education sector, describing them as bold initiatives strengthening the nation’s education system and contributing to national development.
He assured the ministers of the committee’s continued legislative support to ensure successful implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, noting that the protection of schools, teachers and learners must remain a national priority.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings