The Federal Ministry of Education has intensified efforts to make Nigerian schools safer and more inclusive, with particular emphasis on preventing bullying, abuse and school-related gender-based violence. The ministry, in partnership with UNESCO, the Government of Japan and other development partners, is strengthening teachers’ capacity in safe learning environments, gender-responsive pedagogy and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills.
Forty-five master trainers from 15 teacher training institutions are participating in a three-day workshop in Abuja and are expected to cascade the training to about 500 teachers and educators. The Federal Government said increasing access to education must be accompanied by measures that protect learners’ dignity, safety and wellbeing, stressing the need for teachers to recognise and appropriately respond to abuse and other threats.
Representing the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the Director of the College of Education, Dr Uchenna Uba, said expanding access to education must be matched by adequate measures to protect learners and ensure effective learning. Uba stressed that children must be able to learn in environments where their safety, dignity and wellbeing are protected.
The workshop is equipping 45 master trainers drawn from 15 teacher training institutions with skills in gender-responsive pedagogy, safe learning environments, prevention and response to school-related gender-based violence, as well as ICT integration. Master trainers are expected to cascade the knowledge acquired during the programme to approximately 500 teachers and educators, thereby extending the impact of the initiative beyond the immediate participants.
The gender-responsive component of the training is aimed at strengthening teachers’ ability to create learning environments where pupils and students are treated fairly and provided with equal opportunities to participate and succeed. The training also focuses on school-related gender-based violence, an issue the ministry said requires stronger awareness and appropriate response mechanisms among educators.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with UNESCO, Japan and the African Union in advancing teacher development, safe schools and inclusive education across Nigeria. The Federal Government has continued to emphasise child protection and safer learning environments as critical components of efforts to improve the quality of education in Nigeria.
The National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools provides a framework for addressing bullying and promoting safer school environments. Effective implementation requires teachers and school administrators to understand how to identify harmful behaviour, support affected learners and respond appropriately.
Key points
- The Federal Government partners with UNESCO and the Government of Japan to train 500 teachers.
- The training aims to strengthen teachers' capacity in safe learning environments and gender-responsive pedagogy.
- The initiative seeks to promote safer and more inclusive schools.
