NSUBEB Partners NSCDC to Secure Primary Schools in Nasarawa

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) has approved a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide security for primary school pupils and facilities across the state.

Executive Chairman of NSUBEB, Dr. Kassim Muhammad Kassim, disclosed this during a courtesy visit on Wednesday by the State Commandant of NSCDC, Mohammed Kabir, at the board’s headquarters in Lafia.

Dr. Kassim said the collaboration would be under the NSCDC’s “Safe School Program Unit” and is aimed at curbing kidnapping, burglary, and vandalism in and around public primary schools.

“We have agreed to partner with the NSCDC to protect our pupils and school structures. The Safe School Program Unit, manned by NSCDC officers, will ensure a more conducive environment for teaching and learning,” he stated.

According to the NSUBEB chairman, government investment in the education sector, particularly in infrastructure and furniture, must be protected from criminal elements.

“Right now, we have mobilized contractors to various schools across the state to renovate existing structures, build new ones, and provide furniture. We are spending a huge amount of money, and we will not allow criminals to vandalise these properties,” he said.

Dr. Kassim also appealed to the NSCDC to clamp down on individuals buying stolen school property, stressing that arresting such buyers would discourage further vandalism.

“I want to appeal to the Commandant to intensify efforts to arrest those buying vandalised school properties. If they are properly monitored and arrested, those vandalising will have no market and the menace will reduce drastically,” he said.

He reaffirmed Governor Abdullahi Sule’s commitment to promoting quality education in the state, noting that teacher training and re-training remain a top priority for the administration.

In his remarks, NSCDC State Commandant Mohammed Kabir commended Dr. Kassim on his appointment and pledged the Corps’ readiness to work with NSUBEB to protect schoolchildren and infrastructure.

“We monitor schools through our Safe School Program operating across all states, with the control unit based in Abuja. If Nasarawa State can key into it, we are ready to partner with you to protect schoolchildren and educational infrastructure,” he said.

The partnership is expected to enhance security presence in all primary schools across the 13 local government areas of the state.