Schools penciled for security vote to address stakeholder concerns
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A security vote for schools nationwide will be factored into the federal budget in 2023, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed has disclosed, to address the concerns raised by parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in June advocated collaboration on a security framework to tackle rising insecurity in schools, public and private.
“Private sector security experts, especially those with competencies related to technology are being encouraged to share innovative insights, as the effort must be comprehensive and inclusive manner,” Osinbajo said.
He spoke at an online summit on school safety and security organised by Halogen Group in partnership with IA-Foundation, stressing that all hands must be on deck to tackle insecurity around schools in Nigeria using an inclusive approach.
Ahmed said Abuja will encourage states to commit to the safety of schools, and consultation is underway with states, councils. and other stakeholders to identify the most transparent, effective, and accountable ways to mobilise and deploy resources.
“In 2023 budget, we will make sure we make specific budget to support financing of safety of our schools.” Ahmed stressed at a safe-school summit organised by the Emergency Coordination Centre in Abuja.
She disclosed that the national financing plan for the security and safety of schools across will be unveiled before the end of the third quarter of this year (Q3 2022).
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Federal, state level plans
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has established for this purpose a committee with members drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the military, and other security agencies.
“The committee has been working assiduously to collate inputs from relevant MDAs and to develop a national plan for financing safe schools,” Ahmed said, per reporting by The PUNCH.
“The plan will incorporate state level plans as well as federal government sectoral plans with an emphasis on ensuring adequate budgetary allocation in order to create a safe learning environment for teaching, learning and restoring confidence in the education system.
“Consultations are currently on the way with states, local governments and other critical agencies of government. The committee is also working to identify the most transparent, effective and accountable ways of mobilising and deploying resources.”