UMMATEE-C4PASS expresses deep concem over the worsening insecurity across Northern Nigeria and its far-reaching implications for present and future generations.
In a press statement issued by the executive director of UMMATEE C4PASS Gazzali Ibrahim Ungogo.
He said the rising wave of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts and destruction of livelihoods has forced the Federal Government and some State Governments to shut down several schools in the region as a precautionary measure.
While security must remain a priority, education must not become a casualty of insecurity.
Children in Northern Nigeria already face the highest rate of out-of-school challenges globally.
The press statement said that Closing schools without an immediate alternative deepens inequality, widens the learning gap, and exposes millions of children especially girls to early marriage without continuing education, child labor and exploitation.
Ummatee-C4PASS strongly advises that the right of children to qualitative education must not be denied under any circumstance, even in tines of crisis.
Education is a constitutional and human right, and its protection in emergencies is fundamental to national stability and long-term development In view of the current security threat.
The executive director call on the Federal Government. State Governments, and relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to urgently introduce a Distance Learning System (DLS) for students affected by school closures.
UMMATEE C4PASS recommends that there should be
1. Immediate deployment of a comprehensive e-Learning system
Government should develop a secure online learning platform tailored to the Nigerian curriculum, ensuring students can continue their education safely from home.
2. Provision of digital learning devices
Students affected by school closures should be given:
Tablets or learning devices
Preloaded educational materials
Access to recorded lessons when internet is unstable.
3. Government-funded Internet data support
To ensure smooth learning, government should provide free internet data bundles for students, especially those in rural and low-income communities.
4. Uploading of complete learning materials
All learning materials guided by WAEC and NECO syllabuses should be available:
• Textbooks
• Past questions
• Study notes
• Visual and audio learning guides
• Downloadable resource documents
5. Engagement of e-tutors and digital teachers
Qualified teachers should be deployed virtually to offer:
• Live online classes
• Recorded modules
• Voice-note explanations
• Weekly assignments and feedback
6. Safe school options for WAEC and NECO examinations
Affected students should be:
• Registered in physically secured schools closest to their communities,
• Allowed to write their exams without traveling long distances vulnerable to insecurity.
7. Replication across States facing similar challenges
States in Northern Nigeria experiencing similar insecurity should adopt this digital learning model to prevent further disruption of academic calendars.
The insecurity crisis is a national emergency, but education must remain protected.
Allowing insecurity to shut down the dreams of young Nigerians will have consequences that span generations economically, socially, morally and productively.
Ummatee-C4PASS stands ready to collaborate with government, development partners, and civil society organizations to design, implement, and monitor a functional distance learning system that restores hope to affected learners.
Nigeria cannot afford to lose its future to insecurity. Education must continue no matter the circumstance.
Ummatee-C4PASS, is a non-governmental, non partisan, not for profit organization committed to advancing public education, promoting inclusive social protection, strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, advancing social accountability, and fostering peace and conflict resolution.
