The United Nations Children”s Fund (UNICEF) has stressed the need for absolute security, adequate funding and total enrollment of every child in school as some of the ways to achieving an end to the crisis rocking the nation’s education system.
Country Representative, UNICEF, Peter Hawkins, in a statement marking the 2022 International Education Day, noted with dismay the toll on the nation’s school system following not just the COVID-19 pandemic but the high level of insecurity faced by some schools across the nation.
Hawkins said” as we celebrate the International Day of Education amid concerns In most of the world about the impact of COVID-19 on education, we must take a close look at what is happening to our children in Nigerian and the opportunities they are missing out on when they lack education”.
“We need to look towards communities -leaders, parents, teachers and caregivers and together find the best strategies to ensure that all children enroll into schools, have access to continuous learning and ensure they emerge with quality skills that will equip them for a prosperous future”
“We also need to ensure that children are safe when they are in school – no child should be afraid to enter a classroom – afraid their school might be attacked or that they will be kidnapped. And no parent should fear sending their children to school.,” Hawkins stated.
He said “ in 2021, there were 25 attacks on schools. 1,440 children were abducted, and 16 children killed.
In March 2021, no fewer than 618 schools were closed in six northern states (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Niger, and Yobe) over the fear of attack and abduction of pupil’s and members of staff. The closure of schools in these states significantly contributed to learning losses for over two months.
The Nigeria UNICEF  representative maintained that Nigeria’s education system can be transformed through adequate funding to ensure schools are safe; the application of gender-responsive policies, including recruitment of female teachers and improved facilities for girls; the creation of multiple and flexible learning pathways for students, such as digital and transferable skills learning; the integration of foundational numeracy and literacy in Qur’anic schools; as well as teacher training in the latest methodologies.
“All Nigerian children deserve a fighting chance – no matter who they are or where they are. And this must include an education. It is not only their right – it is the smartest and best way to secure the future of Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu