Why we are relocating 359 schools from some Kaduna communities – Gov. Sani
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has announced plans to relocate 359 schools from high-risk to safer communities.
Governor Sani emphasized the importance of safeguarding the educational sector amid security challenges, citing a decline in school enrollment.
The announcement followed recent mass abductions in schools, where bandits abducted over 250 pupils from LEA Primary School, Kuriga.
After intense military operation, 167 of the abducted pupils were released two weeks later.
Governor Sani, represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Kila, disclosed these plans during a stakeholders’ forum and training session for the newly established Schools’ Protection Squad.
This initiative, aligned with the federal government’s Safe School Initiative, seeks to bolster security measures to shield educational institutions, students, and teachers from bandits and terrorist attacks.
Expressing concern over the disruptive impact of non-state actors on socio-economic activities, Governor Sani stressed the critical importance of safeguarding the state’s educational sector.
He highlighted a concerning decline in school enrollment, citing a significant drop of over 200,000 primary school pupils during the 2022/2023 academic session compared to the previous year.
The Governor attributed the decline primarily to insecurity, particularly in areas such as Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, and Igabi. Insecurity has compelled the consolidation of schools in these areas, exacerbating the issue of out-of-school children.
“To ensure uninterrupted education for children residing in conflict-prone and terrorist-infested areas, this administration has commenced the merging of 359 schools with those situated in safer locations,” the Governor Sani.
