By Hussaini Ibrahim
Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Partnership for Learning and Education (PLANE), has launched a safeguarding short messages initiative aimed at promoting child protection and creating a safe learning environment across schools in the state.
The programme, officially unveiled on Wednesday, is designed to reinforce a culture of safety, respect, and dignity for every learner in Kano’s public schools.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the board’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, Usman Da’u Isa.
Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Education, Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Bashir Baffa, said Kano State is sending a strong and clear message that the safety and dignity of children is non-negotiable.
He emphasised that the government’s allocation of 31 per cent of the state budget to education is a deliberate investment in shaping Kano’s future through practical reforms rather than mere speeches.
“Learning cannot thrive on fear. Confidence cannot grow in unsafe classrooms, and quality education cannot be achieved when children are afraid to speak,” Dr. Makoda said. “Our children must feel protected and empowered to participate fully in their learning.”
The commissioner highlighted existing safeguarding structures in the state, including clear guidelines, referral pathways, and defined institutional roles. He, however, stressed that these frameworks must translate into practical actions that reach every classroom.
“The short messages initiative brings safeguarding principles into daily practice, empowering children to speak up about their safety,” he said. “Teachers must build trust with learners, and school leaders must take responsibility. Whenever a child is harmed, silenced, intimidated, or abused, the system has failed.”
The Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Yusuf Kabir, described the safeguarding short messages as practical tools crafted to help learners understand safety, respect, and personal dignity.
“The messages are written in simple, child-friendly language to ensure understanding and strong impact,” he said. “They reinforce a school culture where every child feels protected, heard, and valued.”
Mr. Yusuf expressed appreciation to development partners, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and PLANE, for their continued support in strengthening basic education in Kano. He cited their interventions in teacher capacity building, provision of instructional materials, and establishment of community learning hubs.
He also commended the safeguarding consultant, Fatima Bello, for her mentorship and training, which has deepened educators’ understanding of safeguarding and its importance to children’s wellbeing.
Delivering a goodwill message, Joseph Walls, Education Adviser to the FCDO, applauded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to education reforms and commended SUBEB for taking child protection seriously.
“This initiative will enhance pupils’ safety, character development, and their ability to learn confidently in schools,” Walls said.
The National Team Lead of PLANE, Olu Obenga, described the safeguarding short messages as a structured behavioural approach rather than a one-off sensitisation campaign.
“Delivering these messages daily over the course of a week reduces cognitive overload, reinforces retention through repetition, and normalises safeguarding language in classrooms,” he said. “Cue cards also enhance visual memory, especially for younger learners. While adult-focused training and policy development are important, consistent child-level engagement is often the missing link — and Kano SUBEB is addressing this gap.”
Dr. Obenga praised Kano State for institutionalising safeguarding, noting the establishment of a functional team within SUBEB, creation of a dedicated desk, training of master trainers, sustained budgetary support, and statewide rollout across all 44 Local Government Areas.
“These steps demonstrate that Kano has moved from project-based interventions to a government-led, institutionalised approach to safeguarding,” he said.
The initiative is part of Kano State’s broader effort to ensure that schools are safe spaces where children can learn without fear, express themselves freely, and grow in confidence.
By combining practical messages with structured training and community engagement, the programme aims to embed safeguarding into everyday school life.
“This is about creating a culture where children feel valued and protected at all times,” Yusuf Kabir said. “Every teacher, every school leader, and every community member has a role to play in ensuring our children thrive in safe environments.”
The safeguarding short messages initiative marks a significant step in Kano’s push to protect children in schools and build an education system that is both inclusive and secure.
