UNICEF decries high level of infrastructural deficiencies in northern Nigerian schools

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has raised concerns over the high level of infrastructural deficiencies, physical and psychological instability in northern schools.

The UN Agency citing a 2023 survey, revealed a significant underperformance in key areas such as infrastructure, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and student nutrition.

The results from the survey indicated that Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Adamawa performed poorly across 21 standards set for Safe Schools.

According to UNICEF, the ten states also include Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kebbi.

This was disclosed during a one-day State Level sensitisation meeting on the presentation of Bauchi State scorecard on the implementation of minimum standards for safe school organised by the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with UNICEF on Wednesday.

Speaking at the meeting, the the UNICEF Education Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, Abdulrahman Ibrahim revealed that UNICEF facilitated a survey in 2023 to find out the situation of safe schools in the state adding that the situation was worrisome and required urgent attention by all stakeholders.

The education consultant added that children in the schools witnessed different forms of insecurity in the school environment, including physical and psychological instability, thereby negating the provision of education.

According to him, “The most worrisome aspect of the situation is that the children do not know where and who to report to. That is what UNICEF wants to change so that there will be solutions to the problem.”

Abdulrahman Ibrahim explained further that every school must have a Safe School Focal Officer so that the children can have where and who to talk to in the case of any issues.

This is as he assured that UNICEF will continue to be supportive of the government in ensuring safe environments in all the schools across the state.

In his presentation on safe schools scorecard in Bauchi State, an Independent Education System Strengthening Consultant, Saleh Muhammad, stressed that “he fulfillment of children’s right to education in Nigeria remains plagued by protracted conflict, increasing hostilities, and growing climate-related hazards, perpetuating the out-of-school”.