President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that the persistent att*cks on educational facilities and abductions of students and teachers have left more than 12 million children currently traumatized and afraid of going to school especially the girl-child.
Buhari who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, spoke at the 4th International Conference on Safe Schools Declaration held in Abuja on Monday. “The incessant att*cks on the country’s education system such as kidnapping, abduction of pupils/students, increased activities of insurgence and general insecurity in our schools have exacerbated many factors responsible for the growing number of out-of-school children.
It is disheartening to note that even when the abducted students are released, the tra*ma of the incidences remain long in their minds; hence the plan to have teachers trained on psycho-social support. There are more than 12 million children currently children traumatised and afraid of going to school, especially the girl child,” he said.
He, however, reiterated the commitment of his administration to the safety and protection of schools in the country, vowing to overhaul the educational system not just to improve on the quality but ensure the provision of a secured environment for learners and teachers.
