.jpeg "The secure school program is being implemented in Bauchi and Gombe, according to officials")
This phenomenon is occurring in the context of a series of attacks on educational institutions in various regions of the nation.
The National Safe School Plan was implemented by the federal government with the aim of establishing a secure educational environment conducive to effective teaching and learning across the nation.
The proposed strategy aims to enhance the safety and security of educational institutions, hence facilitating a conducive atmosphere for students and educators to carry out their activities.
In December 2022, the federal government introduced the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools, with a budget of N145.8 billion, to effectively accomplish its goals. This plan is set to be executed over the period of 2023-2026.
Additionally, a total of N15 billion has been allocated to support the implementation of the program during the current year. This funding will be utilized in 48 schools, carefully chosen from a pool of 18 states nationwide.
According to the proposed proposal, the states have the option to allocate funds for the program in order to supplement the efforts of the federal government.
An investigation conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi and Gombe revealed that the states are currently in different phases of implementing the programme.
In the state of Bauchi, the government has chosen a total of 48 schools that have been selected to participate in the safe school scheme.
Mr. Ali Gar, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, emphasized the government's dedication to participating in the initiative.
Gar asserts that the projected 2024 budget includes sufficient provisions to expedite the implementation of the program inside the state.
According to his statement, the ministry has appointed a Safe School Desk Officer and established a technical committee with the aim of improving awareness and community involvement in the initiative.
We conducted visits to 15 local government regions, where we identified 48 schools that were chosen to participate in the campaign. Our primary objective during these visits was to raise awareness among individuals regarding the importance of safe schools.
The assessment team traveled from Abuja to visit the aforementioned 48 schools before returning to their original location.
The speaker expressed anticipation on the release of funds for the project's initiation, questioning whether it will be executed by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
In addition, DSC Ibrahim Gabdo, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Bauchi State Command, stated that the Corps is actively engaged in cooperation with pertinent stakeholders to ensure the effective execution of the program.
According to his statement, the establishment of a collaboration is crucial in order to effectively address the issue and ensure a safe and secure atmosphere within educational institutions.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the Corps' dedication to establishing sufficient security measures in educational institutions, with the aim of creating a safe environment conducive to teaching and learning across the state.
The collaboration would involve engaging with many co-stakeholders in the Safe School Initiative, including the Ministries of Finance and Education, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Service (DSS), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), among other relevant entities.
The Corps, in collaboration with the state government, intends to construct a center dedicated to the Safe School initiative in order to facilitate effective coordination.
The speaker mentioned that they are also undertaking efforts to advocate and raise awareness among various stakeholders and ministries on the safe school project in the state.
According to his statement, the Corps has provided training to its troops with the intention of familiarizing them with the operational methods of the safe school program.
According to his statement, this would allow them to conduct a comprehensive examination of the draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in order to validate and fully implement it.
Consequently, he implored the inhabitants of the state to lend their support to the initiative in order to guarantee the security of educational institutions.
Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has advised the administration of Gombe to build perimeter fences around certain schools in the state that now lack such enclosures.
According to the Commandant of the Corps, Malam Mohammed Muazu, the aforementioned request is crucial in guaranteeing the security of the students.
According to his statement, it is evident that several public schools lack a perimeter fence, rendering them vulnerable. Consequently, it is imperative for the government to promptly undertake the requisite measures to ensure the protection of these educational institutions.
The installation of a fence has been found to effectively discourage unauthorized individuals from entering and trespassing, while also enhancing the overall security of the enclosed premises.
As per his statement, the Corps is a constituent of the safe school declaration committee, expressing their willingness to collaborate with the government. Their primary request pertains to mobility, which is necessary to facilitate effective oversight.
The speaker expressed their plan to deploy armed security personnel in all schools, highlighting the need for mobility in order to achieve this objective.
According to Mr. Mohammed Jibrin, the UNICEF Focal Officer in Gombe State, the Safe School programme prioritized five local government areas (LGAs) out of the total 11 in the state.
According to his statement, the program is aimed at reaching a total of 70 schools, which includes 40 basic schools and 30 post basic schools located in the LGAs of Gombe, Nafada, Kwami, Kaltungo, and Dukku.
According to his statement, the state government has provided training to a total of 350 head teachers, representatives from security organizations, traditional leaders, and members of the School Based Management Committees.
According to the individual, the government has furthermore established a committee at the state level, with Mr. Shu'aibu Adamu, Chairman of the Gombe State House of Assembly Committee on Education, serving as its head.
Jibrin revealed additional information that the government of Gombe had thus far disseminated safe school kits to security agencies inside the state.