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Security experts have urged the Federal Government to introduce a national safe school policy in response to the incessant attacks on the right to education in the country.
Speaking at a Safe School Summit in Abuja recently, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Consultancy Unit, Nigerian Defence Academy, Major Gen. Matthias Effeovbohkan (rtd), said the policy would help to provide guidance to educational stakeholders, particularly schools and states in the development and maintenance of safe and inclusive learning environment.
He noted that the policy would also help in ensuring that all schools in the country are safe from attacks in the future.
Effeovbohkan who is also the Chairman, Board of Governing, Safe School Academy, stated that only 30 per cent attacks on schools are reported “A research carried out recently shows that only about 30 percent of attacks on schools are reported, many go unreported. Children are missing everyday.”
He lamented that there were many unanswered questions surrounding the kidnap of the Chibok girls, saying, “If a country loses 219 children to a wrong side, that means we have lost several generations of our community.
On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, said the Nigerian Army has responded positively to the attacks on schools, with the help of the creation of a Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Training Centre in Bunin-Yadi.
He called on school managers to develop a strategic plan to prevent any terrorist attacks on their schools.
“There is a need for school managements have a measured vision of their procedures. A comprehensive school response plan in line with National Incident Management System would provide seamless integration of emergency plan and practices.
Represented by Col. Ali Nguru, he stressed the need for collaboration in ensuring that schools in the country are safe.