According to UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, at least one million of Nigeria’s 37 million children will miss the start of the new school year this month because of insecurity. There have been 20 school attacks in Nigeria so far this year, resulting in the kidnapping of 1,436 children and the deaths of 16 children.
More than 200 children are still missing. Hawkin stated in a press statement that it was unacceptable for communities and parents to be concerned about sending their children to school or to their friends’ and classmates’ classrooms for fear of being abducted from what should be a safe environment.
“Nearly one million Nigerian children will miss their first day of school this year, which should have been an exciting moment for parents and children, but insecurity threatens their safety and education,” he said.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins
According to UNICEF’s Chief, this instability must end so that children can return to their normal lives and reap the benefits of all the crucial things that attending school provides. “We must put the future of our children first,” he said. We can and must address insecurity, put an end to education-related violence, and ensure that schools remain open and accessible. Time is running out for our students.”
The first day of school should be an exciting event for both parents and children, Peter Hawkin said. “New learning and new friends will have a lasting impact on their future,” Hawkin said. “It is terrible that parents are frightened to send their children to school because they are afraid of being kidnapped from what should be a safe atmosphere.
It is untenable that children fear returning to their classmates and schools, and that parents fear their children will never return home if they send them to school. This insecurity must be addressed so that children can return to their regular lives and receive the benefits of attending school.