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The Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders, ensuring that the state’s primary and secondary schools maintain a secure and conducive learning environment for students and staff alike.
Addressing the gathering at the commencement of a two-day focal group discussion in Enugu, which centered on evaluating the 2021-2023 Safe School Declaration Plan of Action and formulating the 2024-2027 Action Plan, Dr. Gabriel Ajah, the Executive Chairman of the Board, emphasized the pivotal role of secure school environments in fostering an atmosphere conducive to both teaching and learning.
Expressing his gratification with the caliber of resource persons and participants in attendance, the Chairman implored them to collaboratively devise comprehensive strategies aimed at enhancing the safety of children, teachers, and the school environment, thereby contributing to the realization of the lofty plans and programs outlined by the Dr. Peter Mbah Administration, which has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to education by allocating a remarkable 33 percent of the national budget, the highest allocation across the country.
“As you may already be aware, the current administration in Enugu State is taking education very seriously because our governor believes that education is the most potent weapon to fight poverty.
“The sector got 33 per cent of the total budget this year, the highest in Nigeria. But importantly, the administration is prioritising basic education where we are building 260 smart schools, one in each of the 260 political wards. By this we are leapfrogging the transformation of basic education. The smart schools were also conceived with safety and total development of our learners in mind.
“So, we want you to strengthen this initiative by the outcome of your review of the 2021-2023 Safe School Declaration Plan of Action (POA) and your inputs into the development of the 2024-2027 Action Plan,” Dr. Ajah stated.
He emphasised that Governor Mbah was committed to not only securing the schools, but also lives and properties of citizens.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman, who was represented by Dr. Giginria Lydra, called on states to domesticate the policy on Safe School Declaration and for the full implementation of the Child Right Action in the State.
On his part, the Commissioner for Education in Enugu State, Prof. Ndubueze Mba, in a keynote address, disclosed that Enugu would soon be a digital literate state with the adoption of the smart schools and smart teachers to enhance quality of teaching and learning, using advance technology.
Speaking through his representative, Mr. Chris Edenwatu, Prof. Mba emphasized that the Enugu state government has made substantial investments in the education sector, prioritizing the creation of safe and conducive school environments that foster an optimal learning experience for both teachers and students.
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According to Rev. Fr. Hilary Mgbodile, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Post Primary Schools Management Board, the workshop was a well-timed and welcome initiative, poised to address the numerous challenges that have threatened the safety and security of students and pupils within the state’s school system.
Furthermore, the workshop incorporated interactive sessions that encouraged open communication between the participants and pupils and students from a curated selection of schools, providing an opportunity to gain insight into their unique challenges and collectively explore viable solutions.
The learners’ proposed solutions encompassed the strategic posting of male National Youth Service Corps members to male educational institutions and their female counterparts to female schools, the hiring of security operatives to oversee safety within school premises, and the erection of perimeter fences around school grounds to enhance physical security measures.
The learners also emphasized the need for enhanced motivation and recognition for members of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), acknowledging their invaluable efforts in ensuring the smooth functioning and governance of schools.
