Amid widespread abduction and nationwide insecurity in schools , the Safe Schools Initiative was launched at the world Economic Forum on Africa in Nigeria by a coalition of Nigerian business leaders working with the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown. The forum launched a 30Million Dollars to curb the waves of kidnapping and banditry by way of providing infrastructure, including gadgets that will mitigate insecurity in schools.
According to Dr Hamzat Lawal, schools are supposed to be a safe place, but it is unfortunate that pupils are no longer safe in school environment.
Speaking on Public Square ( Nigeria Info 99.3 FM), Dr Lawal, who is the Founder and Executive Director, Connected Development said, ” Investment in education is key to national development. With thorough infrastructure and the right political will, a lot can be achieved. Unfortunately, some key players in the education sector are not been honest. For example, no one can account for the 30Million Dollars Safe Schools Initiative meant to provide infrastructure for schools.
” There is a need to rebuild trust. Parents want a safe environment for their wards, but unfortunately funds allocated to take care of the threat and insecurity were not adequately deployed”.
Dr Lawal who spoke at the forum in commemoration of National Day on Education .January 25th is set aside to mark the day.
Nigeria already holds the unenviable record of having the highest number of out of school children across the globe, 13.5 million.
