The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the European Union, has trained over 40 educational stakeholders as part of the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE) on Thursday.
The two-day training, which took place in the North West region, focused on school safety, security, and climate literacy.
This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning, while ensuring that schools remain safe environments for students and staff.
Aisha Abdullahi, the state education facilitator for the EU EYE project, explained that the program is supported by the European Union and UNICEF, with implementation carried out by educational partners such as the federal and state ministries of education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and other key education stakeholders.
According to her, the training is designed for teachers involved in the EYE project from various local governments and schools.
These teachers are expected to pass on the knowledge they have gained to their colleagues, ensuring that best practices in school safety are adopted throughout the region.
Caesar Akuduke, the Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, emphasized the importance of the training, stating that many schools in the region face significant safety challenges.
The program, he said, aims to address these shortcomings by building knowledge and awareness among educational stakeholders.
The training focused on the guidelines outlined in the “Minimum Standards for Safe Schools” document, which provides a framework for ensuring school safety across the country.
While there have not been any major incidents of violence or attacks on schools in Kano State, Akuduke highlighted that the training would equip participants with the necessary precautionary measures to prevent potential threats.
Representing the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, praised the initiative.
She acknowledged that efforts made through the program have significantly improved access to quality education for children in underserved communities.
These improvements, she said, address longstanding challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient teacher training, and gender disparities in education. Tukur credited UNICEF for its role in creating a brighter future for children in these communities.
The Commissioner further stated that the positive changes resulting from government initiatives, combined with the support of international organizations like UNICEF, will have a lasting impact on the lives of children in the state.
He commended the ongoing efforts to ensure that every child has access to education in a safe and supportive environment, which he believes will contribute to the overall development of the state.
