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Aisha Katagum, acted as Governor of Bauchi State during the International Day of the Girl Child
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
The federal and state governments have been advised to as a matter of necessity adopt the creation of mobile schools especially in some Northern states bedeviled by security challenges especially abduction of students which has become order of the day.
The advice was given by the Bauchi state Commissioner of Police, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, who urged the state governments to adopt proactive measures to fast track successful implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) commitment.
Sylvester Alabi made the call at the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child policy dialogue, held on Monday in Bauchi saying that, “One way to ensure that girls are safe in schools is for the states to sign the SSD commitment. It is a political commitment by countries to do more to protect students and teachers during state of insecurity”.
The event was organized by the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to celebrate the Girl-child in a digital world.
Represented by the DCP, Finance and Administration, Rose Chollom, the Police Commissioner said that the the SSD commitment would protect girls in schools.
He stressed that, “We should make schools physically secured by building fences which improve the safety of girls in schools, erecting observation points where experienced and well trained private securities could man”.
“Government should also create mobile schools in Borno and other northern states that are bedeviled by terrorism and banditry”, he added.
According to him, closer working collaboration between the state governments and security agencies will enhance security network in schools as the security personnel will be working round the clock to provide cover for the local security arrangement of the schools.
He further advised schools management boards to set up Police outposts with armed guards and patrol vehicles which he said, could be achieved through increased funding to the education sector to ensure protection of girls during armed conflict and address barriers to access quality education.
Sylvester Alabi also advised that, “More female teachers should be trained and employed to ensure retention and transition of adolescent girls in schools because they are closer to them”.
According to him, “Female counselors should be engaged to render appropriate counseling services to adolescent girls in school, especially during the period of insecurity to encourage them not to drop out”.
“Government should embark on massive sensitiation to educate parents on the need to shun traditions and cultures that discourage girl child education as well as encourage gender equality,” he said.
Also speaking, Bauchi State Governor Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir described girl child education as important, adding that “when you educate a girl, you educate a nation, and empowering a female child is equal to empowering the family.”
Bala Mohammed who was represented by the SSG, Barr Ibrahim Kashim, said that the state government has adopted practical measures to enhance girl child education in the state.
He then assured that everything humanly and administratively possible will be done to secure all schools across the state participating boarding schools and focussed attention on girls boarding schools.
