FG Strengthens School Security, Eyes Better Funding Coordination

The Federal Government has unveiled stronger measures to enhance the Safe Schools Initiative, including plans to work more closely with security agencies to guarantee the safety of teachers and students in schools across the 774 local government areas of the country.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed the measures while speaking with journalists after an interface with the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative. He also requested that the management of funds for the programme be transferred from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Federal Ministry of Education.
Alausa said the ministry is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to develop a comprehensive national framework for school safety. According to him, school safety goes beyond physical security and includes perimeter fencing, solar-powered lighting, water and sanitation facilities, recruitment of security personnel, deployment of technology and effective monitoring systems.
He stressed the need for a central coordination mechanism for the initiative, explaining that while security agencies would continue to perform their constitutional duties, the Ministry of Education would provide policy direction, coordinate implementation with states and ensure that every school benefits from the programme.
Earlier, while addressing the committee chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the minister said that since assuming office, the only major disbursements under the initiative had been to the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps through the Ministry of Finance. He added that the Ministry of Education has now established a full-fledged Safe Schools Department, replacing the former unit, and is seeking direct management of the funds to ensure more effective implementation.
In a separate interview, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the issue of which ministry manages the funds was not a major concern and would be resolved. He maintained that the priority is to ensure schools remain safe and secure nationwide, adding that the focus should be on providing adequate funding and timely release of funds to prevent insecurity rather than responding after incidents occur.