It is Time to Make Safe Schools Initiative Work — NAPTAN, NUT

The National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have called on government authorities to urgently implement the Safe Schools Initiative across the country.

The groups stressed that insecurity continues to threaten education, particularly in northern states where schools have been repeatedly attacked by bandits and insurgents. They warned that without decisive action, Nigeria risks losing an entire generation of children to violence and illiteracy.

NAPTAN National President, Haruna Danjuma, said the initiative was designed to protect students and teachers from abductions and attacks. He noted that despite its launch years ago, implementation has been slow and inconsistent. According to him, many schools remain vulnerable, with little or no security presence.

Danjuma explained that parents are increasingly worried about sending their children to school. He urged federal and state governments to provide adequate funding, deploy security personnel, and ensure schools are fenced and equipped with surveillance systems.

The NUT also expressed concern over the rising number of teachers abandoning classrooms due to fear of attacks. NUT Secretary-General, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, said teachers cannot perform effectively in unsafe environments. He added that the union has repeatedly appealed for stronger measures to safeguard schools but little progress has been made.

Ike-Ene emphasised that education is the backbone of national development. He argued that if schools remain unsafe, Nigeria’s future will be compromised. He called for collaboration between government, communities, and security agencies to guarantee safety in learning environments.

Both NAPTAN and NUT highlighted the importance of political will in driving the initiative. They urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritise school safety as part of its education reform agenda. They also appealed to state governors to take ownership of the programme and adapt it to local realities.

The Safe Schools Initiative was introduced in 2014 after the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram. It was meant to provide emergency support, improve infrastructure, and strengthen security in schools across conflict-prone areas. However, stakeholders say the programme has not achieved its objectives due to poor funding, corruption, and lack of coordination.

Education experts argue that beyond physical security, psychosocial support for students and teachers is critical. They recommend counselling services, trauma recovery programmes, and community engagement to rebuild trust in the school system.

NAPTAN and NUT concluded that Nigeria must act decisively to protect its children. They insisted that the Safe Schools Initiative should no longer remain a policy on paper but a practical framework that secures classrooms nationwide.

The call comes amid renewed attacks on schools in Kaduna, Zamfara, and Niger states, where students have been kidnapped in large numbers. Parents and teachers say the situation has reached a breaking point and demand urgent intervention.

By pressing for immediate implementation, NAPTAN and NUT hope to restore confidence in Nigeria’s education system and ensure that every child can learn without fear.