As part of proactive measures by the Federal Government to protect education in Nigeria, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed initiated an intervention titled “Financing Safe Schools”, addresses funding gap for protection of education.
According to the Head of the Financing Safe Schools Secretariat in FMFBNP, Halima Iliya informed that the Ministry in collaboration with critical stakeholders developed a robust financing Safe Schools plan that has been subjected to series of reviews with school data collected across States.
The National Plan was validated on November 29th, 2022 in preparation for the final launch as contained in statement released by the Ministry Spokesperson, Phil Abiamuwe- Mowwte on Thursday.
The validation meeting was well attended by stakeholders among which are; National Planning, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, Nigeria Police Firce (NPF), Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Civil Society and Development Partners.
During the meeting recently held at the Ministry’s Auditorium in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mallam Aliyu Ahmed said the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools (2023 -2026) is a commitment to financing various policy initiatives aimed at safeguarding education, and creating safer and more secured teaching and learning environment.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Director, Special Projects, Victor Omata, disclosed that attacks on education can have a significant psychological impact on learners, teachers and non-teaching staff thereby having devastating consequences.
Highlighting some of the psychological impacts, Ahmed said, it can lead to lower rates of enrolment and transition to higher grades, and increased teacher absenteeism, adding that, learners may drop out or experience interruptions to studies or may transfer to other schools, frequently resulting in overcrowding.
According to him, the meeting is an opportunity for key stakeholders to provide inputs as the plan is being finalized, adding that, prior to this validation meeting, various activities have taken place.
The representative of the NGF, during his goodwill message said NGF is delighted to be part of the ongoing consultative process and ready to support implementation.