As part of measures that will ensure conducive environment for teaching and learning, a Professor of Developmental and Forensic Psychology, Chidozie Nwafor, has called for the integration of security education into the school curriculum, starting from the kindergarten.
He also advocated more media involvement in creating security awareness among people in schools.
Professor Nwafor who is the Head, of Department of Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, made the calls in Awka while speaking on “Security Awareness, Early Warning and Early Responses (EWER) System in Schools Protection” at the opening session of stakeholders forum on security of schools in Anambra and training of Schools Protection Squad, SPS, Unit of the Nigerian Police Force.
The security awareness, the don said, is important in preventing potential threats, reducing risks, enhancing safety, promoting preparedness, supporting learning environment, among others.
The Traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, represented by Chief Jude Oniah, who noted that the spate of kidnapping in schools nowadays in Nigeria is becoming alarming, outlined important roles parents, governments, host communities and students would play in schools security.
Others who spoke during the panel discussion at the event, including the Chairman of Nigeria Union Of Journalists in Anambra, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, represented by Comrade Ogemdi Ozoemenam, representative of Civil Society Organisations, Comrade Okey Maduforo, Immigration Officer, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Principal of Community Secondary School, Oko, Mrs Ifeoma Enekwechi, and a private school Proprietor, Pastor Philip Eze, made other suggestions on ways of ensuring watertight security in and around schools.
In her remark, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-udeh, joined the call for all stakeholders to join efforts in ensuring that schools in the state are secured at all times, adding that the safety of schools is important in Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts to ensure that every life is secured in the state.
The two-day event has as its theme, “Strengthening security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education”.
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