Cross River State says it is poised to ensure safe, secure and friendly environment for learning in public and private schools with the adoption of rules and regulations for primary and secondary schools in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Mr Godwin Amanke, said this on Friday in Calabar at a town hall meeting and media dissemination of Rules and Regulation for Primary and Secondary Schools.
Amanke, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Aniede Ekpenyong, said he deemed the move necessary as it was only a safe environment that the quality of teaching and learning could be guaranteed.
The commissioner commended the Society for Family Health (SFH) and UNESCO for strengthening skills and the enthronement of a productive learning environment in schools.
He noted that within and outside the school environment, the child learner deserved the right to be protected from any form of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
“There is no denying the fact that what makes for quality education anywhere in the world is not just the presence of grandiose structures and facilities.
“Importantly, the quality of teaching and learning within a safe, secured and friendly environment devoid of any school-related-gender-based violence makes for a quality education.
“This, therefore, speaks to the importance of school rules and regulations as veritable tools for the smooth running of the school and for the overall interests and benefits of the learners, ’’he said.
Also, UNESCO called for a proper implementation of the rules and regulations for the school system to function effectively.
The Programme Specialist, UNESCO, Mrs Oyebukola Tomori-Adeleye, said the body remained passionate to ensuring the protection of the well-being of the child.
Similarly, the SFH said formal adoption of the document followed three years of brainstorming by stakeholders in the education sector.
The Practice Area Lead, Tuberculosis and HIV at SFH, Mr Godpower Omoregie, listed the stakeholders to include: the Ministry of Education in the state, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, UNESCO, and SFH as well as the State Universal Basic Education.
He said only two states: Cross River, Kaduna as well as the Federal Capital Territory, were involved in this phase of the project.