The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern about the significant infrastructural shortcomings as well as the physical and psychological instability facing northern Nigerian schools.
In 2023, a UN agency report revealed significant underperformance in crucial areas such as infrastructure, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and student nutrition.
The survey results from the report indicated that schools in Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Adamawa are struggling to meet the 21 standards set for safe schools. UNICEF’s findings also highlighted that the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Kebbi are facing similar challenges.
These concerns were raised during a one-day state-level sensitization meeting to provide the Bauchi State scorecard on the execution of minimal safety requirements in schools. The event was organised by the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in conjunction with UNICEF.
Speaking at the conference, UNICEF Education Specialist at the Bauchi Field Office, Abdulrahman Ibrahim, said that UNICEF facilitated a survey in 2023 to determine the status of safe schools in the state, stating that the situation was concerning and demanded immediate attention from all stakeholders.
“The most worrisome aspect of the situation is that the children do not know where or who to report to. That is what UNICEF wants to change so that there will be solutions to the problem,” he revealed.
He further explained that every school should have a Safe School Focal Officer so that students know where to go and who to talk to if they have a problem. He reiterated UNICEF’s continued support for maintaining safe settings in all of the state’s schools.
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