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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Following the abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State, the Civil Society Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), has advised the Federal Government to suspend the June 12th Democracy Day and declare a day of national mourning, until kidnapped victims are released, bandits arrested and prosecuted.
CSACEFA Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chairman, Caesar Akudike, at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, also told the Federal Government to desist from rehabilitating and reintegrating bandits to the society, as they form part of the problems in destroying the country.
Akudike, argued that “a nation cannot celebrate democracy while its children, teachers and toddlers are in the bush, exposed to hunger, fear, violence and uncertainty. June 12 should become a day of sober national reflection if these children remain in captivity.”
He recommended the rescue all abducted children, teachers and affected citizens immediately and safely.
“Provide regular, truthful and humane updates to affected families and the Nigerian public, Activate an emergency national school safety response for vulnerable schools in rural, border, forest, conflict-affected and previously attacked communities.
“Deploy coordinated security and community protection systems around high-risk schools without turning schools into military camps.Provide psychosocial support to rescued children, affected teachers, parents and school communities.
“Investigate and prosecute perpetrators, sponsors, informants, collaborators and ransom networks; Publish a verified national database of attacks on education, disaggregated by state, region, school level, sex, age, disability and student/teacher status.
“Support affected families economically, especially those who have lost income, relocated or withdrawn children from school because of attacks.
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“Within the next three months, government at all levels should conduct urgent school safety audits, strengthen School-Based Management Committees and early warning systems, provide safe transport and protected routes for learners, train teachers and school leaders on emergency preparedness, provide temporary learning alternatives where schools are closed, and establish rapid response desks linking schools, local governments, security agencies and education authorities.”
In the long term, CSACEFA Programme Manager, Damian-Mary Adeleke, stressed the need for the government to fully finance and implement the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools.
According to Adeleke, the government should further implement the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools, integrate school safety into education sector plans and budgets, expand trauma-informed teaching and psychosocial support, and provide special protection for girls, children with disabilities, displaced children and learners in remote communities.
He warned that continued attacks on schools should not be treated as normal.
“If government at all levels fails to take decisive, coordinated and measurable action to end this madness, CSACEFA will mobilise the civil society community, education stakeholders, parents, teachers, youth groups and concerned citizens for peaceful civic action.
“We do not seek confrontation; we seek protection for children. But when schools are attacked repeatedly and children are taken from classrooms, civil society has a duty to speak, organise and demand accountability,” he added.
