By Tina George, Minna
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has called on the state and federal government to expedite implementation of the Child Protection Policy.
Its president, Yomi Otubela stated this during the celebration of the 2022 Children’s Day celebrating in Minna, Niger state.
According to him, the document, if implemented would guide school owners and managers, government, caregivers as well as parents on the steps towards ensuring the safety of school children across the country.
Otubela who was represented by Niger state chairman of the association, Mr Femi Alalade said that government need to take actions to ensure the safety and security of children while in school, adding that the insecurity in the country required for the implementation of the policy.
“We must admit that in the last few years, Nigerian children have had a fair share of the insecurity challenges that have continued to ravage the country. This has manifested in form of kidnappings, killings, raping, etc in schools.
“I therefore, urge both the states and the Federal Government to ensure that our children are properly protected in our various schools to go about their academics safely. This calls for government security operatives to collaborate with the internal security arrangements in schools for effective monitoring around schools.
“As we join the rest of the world to celebrate 2022 Children’s Day, all hands must be on deck for all stakeholders in the education sector to work together towards making an environment where children will live, learn and achieve their potential safely.
“The policy document should take into cognizance the mental health of children and should involve the participation of parents/caregivers, the government as well as security agencies in matters bothering the safety of children,” he said.
According to the President, the association is working towards ensuring that the schools are safe for the children, while urging parents to also fulfil their role in safeguarding the children after school hours.
“As school owners, educators or administrators, we must take absolute responsibility to ensure the safety of the children put in our care. In other words, learners should feel safe to actively face their studies without fear or distractions while anxiety being often generated in the minds of the parents should be doused through a well-formulated and implementable child protection policy in schools.”
According to him, all stakeholders need to understand their roles in protecting the children and work actively towards giving protection to children, in the case of any incident.
“The Child’s Rights Act should be reviewed to accommodate other emerging issues relating to the protection of children while urging states in Nigeria that are yet to adopt the Child’s Rights Act in their laws to do so in the interest of the children.
The Children’s day celebration in Minna was celebrated at the Brighter School.
