Save the Children reveals shocking data showing that 867 schools and non-functional in Borno

INTERNATIONAL non-governmental organisation Save the Children has raised the alarm that about 867 schools in Borno State are either non-functional or inaccessible as a result of the insecurity in the area brought about by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Since 2009, Boko Haram have been fighting a war against the Nigerian state, hoping to carve out a religious theocracy in the northeast of the country. Due to the crisis, Nigeria has become the country with the largest number of internally displaced persons in the world and Borno State, the epicentre of the insurgency has witnessed massive upheaval, with half of its population now living in the capital Maiduguri.

Hundreds of small towns and villages across Borno State are now deserted as local people flee to safety in either Maiduguri or neighbouring states.  According to Save the Children Nigeria’s country director Benjamin Foot, across the northeast, about 2.2m school-aged pupils are currently out of school.

Mr Foot said: “Education is a key concern in the conflict of northeast Nigeria. The Humanitarian Needs Overview estimates that there were 2.2m school-aged children and teachers in the northeast who need immediate education in the form of emergency support.

“Eight hundred and sixty-seven schools primarily in Borno State are still non-functional mainly due to inaccessibility as a result of insecurity. More than 2m girls, boys and caregivers need psychosocial support services due to severe distress, hardship and displacement in northeast Nigeria and in addition, 770,000 children and caregivers remain at risk of injury and loss of life from explosive remnants of war.”

He noted that the conflict in the region had exposed children to different forms of violence, making them vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Also, Mr Foot added that his organisation would continue to fight for children by making sure they get protection when they are in danger and have the chance to learn.

He called on government at all levels, communities and families to provide a conducive environment for children to learn, to enable them to be protected and grow up strong. Mr Foot welcomed the recent move by the federal government in ratifying the Safe School Declaration, saying it will be instrumental in ensuring that schools will be safe zones for children to learn.

“We will continue to fight for children every single day. We will do whatever it takes to make sure they survive, get protection when they are in danger and have the chance to learn, because every child should be able to make their mark on their world and help to build a better future for all.

“We would like to ask all actors to review their commitment and join forces to create a conducive environment for children to learn, be protected and grow up healthy,” he said.