By Peter Omopo
The Katsina State Government has stepped up efforts to improve safety in schools through the domestication of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools.
The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Nasir Ahmed, disclosed this during a meeting in Katsina with members of a committee reviewing the policy.
Ahmed explained that the initiative is aimed at adapting the national framework to reflect the specific needs and realities of the state, with a focus on ensuring safer and more conducive learning environments.
The review process is being supported by Save the Children International under the Education Cannot Wait First Emergency Response Project, which promotes violence-free education across affected regions.
According to Ahmed, the committee has made significant progress in aligning the policy with local conditions. He noted that extensive consultations have been conducted across the state, including focus group discussions and interviews with key stakeholders.
He added that inputs from these engagements have strengthened the draft policy by addressing emerging safety concerns, implementation challenges, and community perspectives.
Ahmed said the next phase will involve finalising the draft, conducting validation, and submitting it for approval. Plans are also in place for statewide dissemination and implementation, alongside continuous stakeholder engagement to ensure sustainability.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Suleiman-Jibia, commended the committee for its progress, describing the initiative as crucial to safeguarding students and improving the quality of education in the state.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the process and urged the committee to complete validation of the revised policy before the end of the month to enable timely approval and implementation.
The development underscores the commitment of the state government and its partners to providing safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments for all students.
