Polycarp Sola-Abakaliki
A nongovernmental organization, Inspiring Generation and Humanity Support Foundation (IGHUSUF) say it would embark on advocacy for safe schools in Ebonyi State.
This came as part of activities marking the year’s day of the girl child, which includes the inauguration of a Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) task force to implement the campaign.
The State Director, Mr. Darlington Onwe Peter, gave the hint at the end of a panel discussion held in Abakaliki and noted the initiative was through the support of the Development Research and Project Center (DRPC) and funded by the Ford foundation.
Onwe, who pointed out critical issues causing insecurity for school children in the state, said cultism, gangsterism, truancy, mental bullying as well as poor infrastructures in schools are key areas to look out towards ensuring the safety of school children.
“We looked at the emotional traumatization of children, and it is worst for the girl child, also the issue of accidents happening on the road due to truancy caused by illegal fees from the schools.
“There are some schools that were built in such a way that the students must pass through major highways, or must pass through a busy road and that is a serious potential security threat for these Children.
“We’ve been able to identify the issue of cultism and gangsterism, in some schools, some students who are not cultists would form a gang to bully others emotionally, physically, and more”. he said.
The director affirmed that the organization would partner with the thirteen council chairmen, traditional rulers as well as relevant community stakeholders to ensure the implementation of this advocacy across the state.