Stakeholders unite to protect education in Sokoto
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
In Sokoto, a one-day workshop themed “Protecting Education: A Shared Responsibility” brought together participants from diverse disciplines to mark the 2024 International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
The event organized by Save the Child Initiative (STCI), Nigeria with support from Plan International aims to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding education and exploring ways to address the challenges faced by schools in Nigeria.
Plan International, emphasized its commitment to inclusive and quality education, youth empowerment, and collaboration with stakeholders to achieve these goals. The organization highlighted its 2024-2028 country strategy for Nigeria, which focuses on promoting girls’ education, supporting youth-led initiatives, and advocating for policy changes to benefit marginalized communities.
A speaker at the workshop, Gift Zagi, emphasized the need for collective action to protect schools, citing the severe attacks on education in Nigeria over the last decade.
She highlighted the devastating impact of these attacks on students, teachers, and communities, and stressed the importance of developing effective strategies to prevent future attacks.
Dr. Judith Giwa presented a paper on the “Journey of Safe School Declaration in Nigeria“, outlining the challenges and achievements in implementing the declaration.
She emphasized the importance of youth engagement, innovation, and advocacy in promoting safe schools and protecting education.
Dr. Giwa also highlighted the need for increased awareness, policy implementation, and budget allocation to support the Safe School Declaration.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences, expertise, and ideas on protecting education in Nigeria. Participants included educators, policymakers, community leaders, and youth representatives, who engaged in discussions and activities focused on developing actionable plans to safeguard schools and promote education.