The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), in collaboration with the Back to School Educational Initiative (BASEI) under the Rise Up Project, organized a Media Roundtable Discussion on Girl-Child Education and Gender-Based Violence in Public Schools. The event took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Kaduna, providing a platform for stakeholders to address the pressing issues affecting girls in public schools.
During the discussion, the Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, emphasized the urgent need to address gender-based violence in public schools while also tackling financial barriers that hinder girls’ education.
“It is an honour to stand before you today to discuss two critical issues that deeply affect our society—the education of the girl child and the alarming rise in gender-based violence in our public schools. These issues demand our collective attention and urgent action,” Rev. Hayab stated.
Highlighting the importance of education in breaking cycles of poverty, he lamented that many girls in Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) in Kaduna State are unable to sit for their NECO examinations due to financial constraints.
This financial barrier is forcing many bright and hardworking students to drop out at the final hurdle of their secondary education, limiting their opportunities and deepening inequalities,” he added.
Rev. Hayab also acknowledged the efforts of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, in improving the education sector in Kaduna State. He commended the governor’s dedication and commitment to transforming education and creating opportunities for students across the state.
His administration has shown a clear commitment to improving access to education by reinstating the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees—a policy that had been discontinued by the previous administration. This bold step demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that no child is left behind due to financial hardship.”
However, while the government has commendably allocated a budget line for these external examination fees, it is crucial that the funds are released immediately. Delay in disbursing these funds will mean that thousands of students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, may miss their examinations this year. We cannot afford to let this happen.”
Hayab appealed directly to the Kaduna State Government to prioritize the immediate release of funds to sponsor NECO examinations for SSS3 students.
Additionally, the initiative has established 30 Community School Safety Committees across the three senatorial zones to address harassment and create safer school environments.
“These committees serve as watchdogs, working with school authorities, parents, and law enforcement to mitigate acts of violence and ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning.
The prevalence of gender-based violence in our public schools is alarming and requires urgent attention. Girls should not have to choose between education and safety. Schools must be safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of harassment or abuse.”
The Chairman of the Kaduna Council of the NUJ, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, emphasized the importance of supporting educational development, especially at the formative age. He assured that journalists would be partners in encouraging education and advocating for policies that enhance human development.
Northern Coordinator of the GPFN, Sheikh Haliru Maraya, expressed deep concern over the obstacles hindering the smooth educational development of children, especially girls. He urged for urgent action to make education more accessible and to remove barriers that prevent children from reaching their full potential.
The roundtable discussion brought together media representatives, education advocates, policymakers, and civil society organizations to explore solutions and strategies to promote girl-child education and curb gender-based violence in public schools. The collaboration between GPFN and BASEI, with the support of Rise Up, underscores the collective responsibility in ensuring that every girl has access to quality education in a safe and supportive environment.
The event concluded with a call for increased advocacy, policy implementation, and community engagement to address these challenges and create a better future for young girls in Kaduna State.