UNICEF Trains Teachers, SBMC, Community Leaders On Safe School In Bauchi
Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane having conversation with the participants. Photo: Murtala Muhammad
By Murtala Muhammad
In an effort to encourage school enrollment, retention and completion, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has conducted a capacity strengthening for teachers and community leaders in Bauchi state on safe school guidelines.
Nigeria has witnessed instances of attacks on education, which led to a significant number of students discontinuing their schooling due to the disruption of educational activities.
A recent assessment conducted by UNICEF reveals that, on average, approximately 43% of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools are being fulfilled across approximately six thousand evaluated schools in Nigeria.
Speaking to Radio Nigeria, the Master Trainer, Sani Mohammed Ahmed said he was impressed with the trainees’s enthusiasm and level of comprehension throughout the capacity strengthening sessions.
Some of the participants Fati Abdu and Ahmed Uba who said the training has exposed them to various techniques and protocols on school safety, commended UNICEF for the initiative and assured to step down the knowledge acquired to their colleagues.
Earlier, in an interactive with the participants at Mangari Primary School, Misau local government area of Bauchi State, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Tushar Rane said education fostered socio-economic prosperity, and other elements for achieving peace.
Dr Tushar Rane stated that not all children can reap the protective and peace-building advantages of education.
He noted that children’s access to education is disrupted by various factors, to include fear of attacks, occupation by state or non-state actors.
The UNICEF Chief explained that among these problems were school-related gender-based violence, encompassing physical, emotional, and sexual forms, adding that bullying can lead to severe mental health consequences, diminished self-esteem, heightened rates of school dropout, and poor attendance.
Radio Nigeria learned that ongoing capacity building efforts include training the first cohort of 350 teachers across six local government areas of Ganjuwa, Alkaleri, Toro, Shira, Zaki, and Ningi.
The second cohort is simultaneously being held across Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe states comprising 200 frontline workers across Misau, Dass, Giade and Darazo local government areas of Bauchi state.
