School abductions: Insecurity could reverse gains in education

Borno State Government has warned that rising insecurity and renewed school abductions could reverse the gains recorded in the education sector, while urging parents not to allow security concerns to stop them from enrolling and keeping their children in school.

The appeal was made during the state’s education summit themed, “Strengthening Safe, Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Education: Building Back Borno Better.”

Speaking after the summit, the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Education Trust Fund, Grema Terab, said participants at the event reviewed the challenges facing the education sector and assessed progress made in rebuilding the system.

Terab said stakeholders emphasised the need to strengthen security in schools through early warning mechanisms capable of detecting potential attacks before they occur.

He added that participants also recommended the deployment of members of the Civilian Joint Task Force to schools to enhance security and reassure parents.

He urged parents to continue sending their children to school while supporting government efforts to improve school safety.

The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Abba Wakilbe, said the state had made significant investments in the education sector through teacher recruitment, training, improved infrastructure and curriculum development.

However, he warned that the resurgence of school abductions poses a serious threat to the gains recorded in the sector, noting that continued attacks could reverse years of progress in education.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Unique Care and Support Foundation, Benjamin John, said the resurgence of student abductions had renewed concerns over school safety in Borno and other parts of the country.

He warned that persistent attacks on schools could worsen the already high number of out-of-school children, as parents may become reluctant to send their children to school due to security fears.

John called on parents to continue supporting their children’s education, while urging sustained collaboration between the government, development partners and communities to improve safety in schools.