The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for concerted effort to win the war against increasing attacks on education in Nigeria.
The NUT Secretary General, Dr Mike Ike-Ene, made the call in an interview told journalists in Abuja to mark International Day to Protect Education from attack, lamenting that the menace was affecting educational system negatively.
He commended efforts by government and other stakeholders in tackling the problem.
He, however, said for the rising cases of abduction, rape and killing of teachers and students as well as destruction of educational facilities to be brought under control, more needed to be done.
Ike-ene said everything must be done to save the country’s education.
He stressed that “teachers are critical stkeholders in education and they must be protected.
“All attacks on education must stop because if it continues, it will set the country back several years.
“Where we are today on the global education index is not so good and now we are talking of attacks on teachers, students and educational facilities.
“Education remains the only tool to catch up with other countries of the world and in its absence we are going no where as a country.”
Ike-Ene further said “NUT is advocating that if it is possible, Nigeria should seek assistance from other countries.
“We encourage government to deploy all its arsenals to save education in Nigeria.
“We know that this war can be won. A typical example is what happened recently in Zamfara, where all communication gadgets were shut down and we are hearing that the bandits are fleeing,” he said.
The International Day to Protect Education from attack is marked every September 9.
The day is set aside to recognise the importance of creating awareness on the need to preserve education and protect it from attack.
The day is also set aside to ensure that stakeholders keep the issue at the top of international agenda to tackle the plight of students affected by armed conflicts across the world.
The day was first observed on September 9, 2020 following the unanimous adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO) and The United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) were designated to serve as co-facilitators for the yearly observance of the day.
