By Obiageli Nwankwo
The Anambra State Ministry of Education has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigeria Forest Security Service to strengthen security in schools, particularly those in remote and vulnerable communities.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, stated this on Oct. 13 when he received representatives of the service on a courtesy visit.
Ogugua said protecting pupils, students, teachers and other school personnel was essential to effective teaching and learning, particularly amid security concerns in some communities.
He noted that schools in remote areas could face additional security challenges because of their locations, stressing the need for cooperation between education authorities and relevant security agencies.
The commissioner said every child deserved a safe learning environment, adding that security threats should not deprive children of access to education or expose teachers and school administrators to avoidable risks.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to identify practical measures to improve school safety and ensure a conducive learning environment.
Ogugua added that safeguarding schools required collective efforts by government institutions, security agencies, school authorities, parents and host communities.
Earlier, the State Commander of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, Mazi Destiny Jonas, and Prof. Stephen Uforah of the School Based Management Council (SBMC) expressed the service’s readiness to support efforts to address security challenges affecting schools, particularly those in vulnerable locations.
They said the proposed collaboration would focus on measures to protect school facilities and their occupants.
The visit highlighted the importance of cooperation between education authorities and security agencies in protecting school communities and ensuring uninterrupted teaching and learning across Anambra.
Obiageli Nwankwo is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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