Kaduna State government has announced intentions to relocate 359 schools due to ongoing security challenges posed by bandits and terrorists in the region.

This decision comes amidst heightened concerns over the safety of educational institutions and the well-being of students.

Governor Uba Sani, represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Kila, revealed the relocation plans during a stakeholders forum and training session for the schools’ protection squad.

The initiative aims to merge schools located in vulnerable communities with those in safer areas to shield them from potential attacks by criminal elements.

“The launch of the school protection squad under the federal government’s Safe School initiative is geared towards securing schools, children, and teachers from all forms of attacks by bandits and terrorists,” stated Governor Sani’s representative.

Highlighting the severity of the situation, Kila expressed concern over the declining enrolment rates in Kaduna State, attributing the drop to insecurity-induced disruptions in affected communities.

“Insecurity has forced school consolidation in several local government areas, exacerbating the issue of out-of-school children,” Kila lamented.

He referenced incidents like the kidnapping of 135 students from Lea Primary and Junior Secondary School in Chikun local government as stark illustrations of the impact of insecurity on education.

Despite the challenges, Kila stressed the imperative of safeguarding schools, emphasizing that no nation could achieve its human capital development goals amidst threats to education.

“To effectively ensure the safety and security of schools, we must build the capacity of security forces and communities,” Kila asserted.

He commended the federal government’s Safe Schools financing plan and highlighted various measures being implemented, including the establishment of security response committees, security awareness training, and infrastructure improvements in schools.