From Sola Ojo
With support from the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) programme, the Kaduna State government has taken a major step towards implementing the recently approved State Policy on Safety, Security, and a Violence-Free Learning Environment.
The Director of Planning at the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, Salisu Baba Lawal, reiterated the importance of the policy in ensuring a secure and conducive learning environment for students and staff.
Lawal, who spoke at the opening of a two-day technical session on the policy’s implementation plan, held from Wednesday, July 16 to Thursday, July 17, 2025, at a hotel in Kano, said the workshop objectives include developing an implementation and results framework, drafting advocacy materials, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
He stressed the importance of incorporating the policy’s implementation into the 2026 state budget and beyond.
The Reform Facilitator for PLANE in Kaduna State, Mubarak Siraj, noted that the engagement brought together stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), civil society, and others to align efforts towards effectively executing the policy at the school level.
“PLANE is working closely with the Kaduna State Government to strengthen foundational learning, ensuring that students can read and write effectively.
“We are also supporting the state system to make the learning environment safer and more conducive for both pupils and teachers,” Siraj said.
According to him, PLANE supported the replication of the national policy in Kaduna State, which has now been officially approved by the state government.
“The next critical step is implementation, and that is why we are here to work with stakeholders in developing an actionable implementation plan that will ensure the policy’s objectives reach the school level,” he added.
Siraj emphasised that aligning the implementation plan across all relevant actors is essential to translating the policy into tangible improvements in learning outcomes.
While PLANE is also active in Kano and Jigawa States, Siraj noted that his focus remains on Kaduna, where he can speak authoritatively on the programme’s progress.
The National Vice President and Kaduna State Chairman of the Association of Model Islamic Schools of Nigeria, Surajo Murtala Dabo, who is one of the critical stakeholders in the education sector, said the replication of safe schools was long overdue.
“All these programmes and materials are aimed at making our schools safer.
“Alhamdulillah, by inviting us to participate, the Kaduna State Government is genuinely reaching out to all major stakeholders.
“As you may be aware, private schools play a crucial role in the educational development of Kaduna State.
“In fact, we share equal responsibilities and opportunities in this sector.
“So, Kaduna State has done the right thing, and this initiative will go a long way in achieving the objectives of the Safe School policy, ensuring security for all,” he said.
Echoing Dabo, the National Vice President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Jafaru Yusuf Riyoji, noted that the development became necessary to enable the state to key into the national policy on safe schools in the face of emerging security threats.
“I’m taking part in this important meeting because it directly concerns the safety of our private schools.
“As you know, Nigeria has adopted the Safe School Policy, and Kaduna State has already signed and domiciled its version of this policy.
“As stakeholders, we are here to discuss how best we can collaborate to ensure its effective implementation.
“This is a welcome development, and we are committed to doing all that is necessary to support the successful rollout of the policy for the benefit and safety of our learners,” he promised.
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