The National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has urged the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to convene an inclusive stakeholder dialogue aimed at addressing the escalating security and operational challenges confronting the education sector.
NAPTAN’s National President, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday, stressing that the time has come for the Federal Government to pursue sweeping reforms that prioritise the safety and welfare of schoolchildren nationwide. He warned that the sector cannot make meaningful progress until the security of learning environments is guaranteed.
Danjuma condemned the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger States, describing the incidents as alarming and avoidable. He said parents, as primary stakeholders, remain critical to identifying workable solutions and must therefore be included in high-level consultations on education and security.
He called on the Minister to immediately convene a meeting involving representatives of parents, security agencies, heads of educational institutions and other relevant bodies. According to him, only coordinated and sustained collaboration will help the country overcome the insecurity plaguing schools.
The NAPTAN president further urged the Federal Government to engage individuals and groups with the requisite experience needed to strengthen the fight against insurgency. He argued that success in combating insecurity depends on bringing all relevant actors together to develop actionable strategies.
While emphasising that children represent the nation’s future, Danjuma cautioned against the frequent closure of schools in response to attacks, insisting that shutting down learning spaces cannot be a sustainable solution. Instead, he appealed to the authorities to intensify efforts to safeguard schools, assuring that parents are ready to partner with the government to secure the education system.
