FG threatens to punish schools shunning safety guidelines

The National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, has issued a stern warning to schools across the country about the importance of adhering to safety guidelines.

The Commander of the centre, Hammed Abodunrin, announced that deliberate failures to comply could result in significant sanctions.

In a chat with our correspondent on Wednesday, Abodunrin emphasised the critical nature of the Safe School policy, which aims to ensure security and prevent violence in educational institutions nationwide.

“While the policy remains voluntary at this stage, the government is strongly advocating for compliance among school managements and communities,” he stated.

Abodunrin clarified that the policy was currently not enforceable by law but highlighted the government’s expectation that schools would willingly adhere to the guidelines.

“Everyone desires security, and we do not foresee widespread refusal to comply. However, should there be capacity gaps making compliance difficult, assistance will be provided to those schools,” he explained.

Despite its voluntary status, the NSCDC is taking a proactive stance. “Where failures are noted to be deliberate, the Safe School teams will report to the authorities for appropriate actions which may include sanctions,” Abodunrin warned.

The commander also discussed the government’s efforts to institutionalise school safety and security within higher education. He revealed plans to introduce specialised programmes on school safety, potentially up to the doctoral level.

“Higher institutions will be encouraged to run special programmes in school safety, recognising it as a critical field of study,” he said.

Abodunrin noted the growing importance of these issues, drawing parallels to fields like disaster management and peace and conflict studies, which have only recently been established as distinct academic disciplines.

“The specific need to address school safety and security underscores its potential to be integrated either as a subject within the security studies curriculum or as an independent field,” he said.