Group Calls for Synergy Among Stakeholders, Link Schools to PHCs to Foster Safer Learning Environment
By: Edirin Robinson, Kaduna
An NGO, Hope for Communities and Children (HforCC), has called for synergy among Stakeholders in Security, Education, and Health to foster safe spaces for school learners in Kaduna State.
The Chairman of HforCC, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, made the call at a two-day stakeholders workshop in Kaduna today, saying that the idea of linking schools to Primary Health Care Agencies and others is to attract community support and build inter-agency relations.
The two-day workshop received contributions from different stakeholders from PHCs of every ward, Development Agencies, Ministry of Education, Security Agencies, and other relevant stakeholders in attendance.
She disclosed that the meeting is because of the just concluded training for teachers on the Family Life and Health Education Program, which is funded by UNESCO. “We just finished the training for teachers and they are going to be having Assembly Talks with the learners in schools.
“We know that issues will come up, especially in this kind of topic that has to do with Adolescents, so we decided to link them, not just individually but also institutionally. This is the first time we are bringing these groups together in collaboration for safe schools that will address issues on GBV and Sexual Reproductive Health in schools and communities.
“We have agreed to some commitments, and the representatives have brought some action points that will help the synergy in the seamless integration of this work so that schools can be able to relate with PHC Agencies and others with community support for this intervention.
Hajiya Hadiza called on other stakeholders to give their support to ensure that Adolescents and young people get the necessary sexual reproductive health messages and services they require, adding that it is necessary for the enforcement of safe school policies and laws in the State.
“Schools are supposed to be safe because we have nonviolent school policies, which tell you that Kaduna has endorsed safe schools. But that is not obtainable because we in the field know that a lot needs to be done. We thank God that we have policies and laws to back up safe schools and now we are to support those laws with actions.
“We need to take steps so that we will not only have it on paper that our schools are safe but also have Communities consciously working together with necessary agencies to ensure that schools are safe.
“Communities are the key factors because when we get their consent, we can progress. Thankfully, we have agreed. All the issues that were barriers have been brought to the table, and we have their endorsement for open-door policies so that schools can also provide medical services.
“We have also informed the teachers that when they go back to their communities, before anything, they should get to know what is for free and what requires payment so that health issues can be given the necessary attention required by these learners.
Similarly, the State Coordinator on Safe Schools, Nigeria Security, and Civil Def, sense Corps (NSCDC) SC Mbatyelevde Susan Nguemo stressed that the security of school learners is not a one-man business but a critical issue that concerns everybody.
She disclosed that in previous years, her organization had trained people, both private and public stakeholders, on how to make schools safer for learners, teachers, and the host Communities.
SC Nguemo added that the Agency had established a center called the National Safe School Response Centre and has also formed a committee with representatives from the Ministry of Education and other agencies to collaborate on ensuring the safety of school learners.
“This is a committee meeting and workshop relating to safe schools for learners, teachers, head teachers, and other agencies, and our organization is a coordinating agency for safe schools.
“We have done several training with head teachers, principals, and others, where we gave them lectures on how to be safe when there’s a disaster in school and other vices.
We want the participants to go back to their various locations, schools, and communities and step down the training for others to learn, too.
“We have written a proposal to the government for the establishment of a center since February, and we hope for a response. We want them to give us a center where we can train these learners in defense.
“The Ministry of Education will be involved, and the coordinating units from other agencies like the police, army, DSS, and others will be working in that same center. So we are pleading with the government to give us a Centre so we can launch Safe School properly in Kaduna State and step it down around the 23 LGAs.”
The Chairman, SBMC Sabon Gari, Garba Danlami Umar applauded HforCC and other partners for the idea of linking schools with Primary Healthcare Centers in Kaduna to address health challenges of Adolescents.
“This workshop couldn’t have come at a better time and this is something that should have happened years ago. So, we thank God that it is happening, and whoever thought of linking PHCs with schools has done Nigerians a world of assistance.
He observed that “there are different perspectives when you talk about safe space in schools. Having a fence around the building does not mean the school is safe, and with the collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, we are getting to know how to safeguard our schools, to create safe spaces in the school.”
“We also get to educate and sensitize them on what to do and where to go in case of any emergency. So, one step at a time, we are getting there gradually. I think the teachers are buying into the issue of safety in schools.
The SBMC Chairman stressed that it is important for schools to address the topic of sexual reproductive health with school learners or risk losing them to quack sources that will cause more damage to them.
“Generally, whether we like it or not, we need to come out openly and discuss with our pupils because if we don’t, they will be open to second opinions from quack sources and such is not good for us.
“KADSUBEB has applied to the State Government to support basic education with the sum of over 700 million Naira, which has been captured in the 2025 budget, and Insha Allah, we are sure the Executive Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, will consent to it.
“This will give support to basic schools whereby they can afford to support issues regarding the health of learners in schools. We will advocate for an MoU between the State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to see how they can exclude those at the basic level from paying for health services.
