By Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with Save the Children, has launched the Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools Policy as part of renewed efforts aimed at protecting students and teachers, as well as ensuring a conducive learning environment across the state.
Launching the policy, Dikko Umaru Radda described the initiative as a major milestone in the collective effort to safeguard education and secure the future of children in Katsina State.
Governor Radda stressed that although education remains central to development and peace, it can only thrive in a safe and secure environment.
The governor highlighted growing threats facing schools, including insecurity, gender-based violence, bullying, gang activities, substance abuse and environmental hazards, noting that Katsina State has experienced similar challenges that disrupted learning and endangered lives.
“This is not just the unveiling of a policy document, but a clear declaration of our commitment to ensuring that every school in Katsina becomes a safe haven for learning,” he stated.
He explained that the policy, adapted from the 2021 National Safe Schools Framework, was tailored to reflect the realities and peculiarities of Katsina State.
According to him, the framework integrates school safety into planning, budgeting and implementation processes across all levels, while clearly outlining the responsibilities of stakeholders, including government agencies, schools, security institutions, parents and community leaders.
Governor Radda commended the State Steering Committee on Safe Schools for driving the domestication process with support from Save the Children and funding from Education Cannot Wait and the Government of Japan.
He also praised the Katsina State Children’s Parliament for its advocacy efforts, describing young people as critical stakeholders in governance.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, the governor pledged sustained investment in safe school infrastructure, child protection systems and community-based security mechanisms.
He further called on the Federal Ministry of Education and other federal agencies to support states through funding, policy alignment and technical assistance.
Governor Radda urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society organisations to take ownership of school safety, emphasizing that protecting schools remains a shared responsibility.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Country Director of Save the Children, Jane Mbagi Mutua, commended the Katsina State Government for what she described as a decisive and strategic move to protect education in a fragile environment.
Mutua disclosed that Save the Children has operated in Nigeria for more than 25 years and in Katsina State for nearly 15 years, focusing on child survival, learning and protection.
She revealed that over 122,000 children were enrolled in formal and non-formal education programmes supported by the organisation in the past year, including 235 children with special needs.
According to her, the organisation also supported immunisation campaigns that achieved coverage for nine out of every ten children, in addition to emergency responses to malnutrition through cash transfer initiatives.
Mutua described the policy as a long-term investment in human capital, social stability and economic development, stressing that education cannot flourish without safety.
She further explained that the policy launch followed advocacy by the Katsina State Children’s Parliament in 2025, which pushed for funding support and the domestication of the national safe schools framework, efforts that eventually resulted in both policy adoption and implementation funding.
“This is not symbolic. It demonstrates political will, fiscal backing and genuine commitment to meaningful child participation,” she said.
While welcoming the development, Mutua emphasized that the success of the policy would depend on effective implementation, sustained financing and accountability.
“Policies alone do not protect children, implementation does,” she stated, urging stakeholders to translate the framework into costed and time-bound action plans while strengthening monitoring and coordination mechanisms.
She also called for innovative financing and stronger partnerships, including public-private collaboration, to sustain safe education initiatives.
Mutua reaffirmed Save the Children’s commitment to supporting the Katsina State Government in implementing the policy to ensure that every school becomes a safe space for learning, particularly for girls and children with special needs.
Triumph learnt that the launch of the policy forms part of the fulfilled promises made by the state government, alongside the release of N33 million allocated for the activities of the Children’s Parliament.
