The Borno State Government has expressed concern that increasing instability and the return of school kidnappings may derail educational achievements. During an education summit titled “Strengthening Safe, Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Education: Building Back Borno Better,” authorities encouraged parents to keep their children enrolled despite security fears.
Grema Terab, Executive Secretary of the Borno State Education Trust Fund, noted that summit participants analyzed existing obstacles and identified key strategies to protect schools. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of early warning systems to identify threats before they escalate. They also suggested utilizing the Civilian Joint Task Force to guard school premises and build public confidence.
Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Abba Wakilbe, highlighted recent improvements in teacher recruitment, training, and infrastructure. However, he cautioned that these advancements are fragile and could be wiped out by recurring abductions. Benjamin John, head of the Unique Care and Support Foundation, echoed these sentiments, noting that the threat of violence could swell the ranks of out-of-school children if parents decide the risks are too high. All parties urged for deeper cooperation between the government and local communities to ensure students remain in classrooms.
