Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, announces relocation plans for 359 schools from high-risk to safer communities
Governor Sani emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the educational sector amid security challenges, citing a decline in school enrollment
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has unveiled plans to relocate 359 schools from high-risk areas to safer communities.
The announcement comes in the wake of a mass abduction on March 7, where bandits abducted over 250 pupils from LEA Primary School, Kuriga. Following a military operation, 167 of the abducted pupils were released two weeks later.
Governor Sani, represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Kila, disclosed these plans during a stakeholders forum and training session for the newly established Schools’ Protection Squad.
This initiative, aligned with the federal government’s Safe School Initiative, seeks to bolster security measures to shield educational institutions, students, and teachers from bandits and terrorist attacks.
Expressing concern over the disruptive impact of non-state actors on socio-economic activities, Governor Sani stressed the critical importance of safeguarding the state’s educational sector. He highlighted a concerning decline in school enrollment, citing a significant drop of over 200,000 primary school pupils during the 2022/2023 academic session compared to the previous year.
Governor Sani attributed this decline primarily to insecurity, particularly in areas such as Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, and Igabi. Insecurity has compelled the consolidation of schools in these areas, exacerbating the issue of out-of-school children.
“To ensure uninterrupted education for children residing in conflict-prone and terrorist-infested areas, this administration has commenced the merging of 359 schools with those situated in safer locations,” affirmed Governor Sani.
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