Oyo strengthens school safety, partners security agencies to combat violence
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Oyo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding students’ lives through the establishment of a ‘Safe School Committee’ and sustained collaboration with relevant security agencies to curb violence in schools.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, made this known while receiving the Safe School Civil Defence Team in his office on Monday.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Tuesday, explained that Hon. Olayiwola emphasised that children were “invaluable assets, whose physical and mental well-being must be protected, particularly within the school environment.”
He stressed that schools should remain safe spaces for learning, free from all forms of violence.
The Education Commissioner also expressed concern over the declining level of parental involvement in children’s upbringing, noting that many parents fail to monitor their wards’ academic activities, attendance, or performance, often leaving the responsibilities of discipline and moral guidance solely to teachers who interact with the students for only a limited number of hours each day.
Speaking earlier, the team leader of the Safe School Civil Defence Corps, Ogunyinka Micheal Rotimi, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing collaboration between the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the state Ministry of Education.
He explained that the Safe School Team had been actively organising security awareness programmes for students, as well as teaching and non-teaching staff, to reduce threats and violence within schools.
However, he called for increased government support and collaboration to enhance their effectiveness.
Ogunyinka further appealed for assistance in domesticating the ‘National Safety Response Center in Oyo State.
According to him, the initiative would enable a coordinated and rapid response to security threats through the collaboration of multiple security agencies.
He added that dedicated emergency response lines would be established, alongside regular engagements with school principals and key education stakeholders, especially in high-risk areas.
