Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education sector have called for a holistic approach to school safety, insisting that protecting schools should extend beyond policing to include the active participation of governments, teachers, parents, communities and technology providers.
The call was made on Wednesday at the 4th Michael Alogba Olukoya Annual Lecture and Award Series organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Lagos State Wing, in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Hassan Akintoye Mujeeb, described this year’s theme, “School Safety: Stakeholders’ Strategies and Inputs,” as timely, noting that learning cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
He said schools should remain centres of knowledge, creativity and character development rather than environments threatened by violence, bullying, abuse, drug-related activities and other security risks.
“A safe school is one where every child feels protected. A safe school is one where teachers can discharge their duties without intimidation or fear. A safe school is one where parents confidently release their children every morning, knowing they will return home safely,” he said.
