By Zubairu Idris
Education stakeholders in Katsina State have come together to brainstorm over operational guidelines for School-based Management Committees (SBMCs) aimed at enhancing security and learning in primary and secondary schools across the state.
Reports say that the participants included representatives from the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), police, vigilante groups, Community Watch Corps, and civil society organisations (CSOs).
Also in attendance were teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and officials from the Zonal Education Quality Assurance and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA).
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education, Hajiya Zainab Musa-Musawa, declared the meeting open on Monday in Katsina.
She explained that the Federal Ministry of Education had launched revised guidelines and instructed state governments to domesticate and strengthen existing SBMC structures.
“In line with the directive, the ministry is taking bold steps to comply by revamping the current SBMC structure.
“Education is the cornerstone of society, the bedrock upon which we build our future.
“The previous operational guidelines needed to be updated to reflect the current realities and challenges facing our schools,” she said.
Musa-Musawa emphasised that the new guidelines would promote collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address challenges in schools and ensure quality education for all children.
She added that the resolutions from the meeting would be presented to the state assembly for passage into law before being signed by the state governor.
Dr Kabir Magaji, Chairman of the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board, highlighted the need for an attitudinal change in the education sector.
“Anywhere you see a school, consider it as your personal property.
“Everyone should be committed to ensuring that things are going well in our schools,” he urged.
The Chairman of the PTA and District Head of Dutsin-ma, Alhaji Sada Muhammad-Sada, pointed out financial challenges as a major factor affecting PTA and SBMC operations.
He also recommended that the most senior traditional ruler be made a member of the SBMC in LGAs with more than one traditional ruler.
ACP Kabir Raddawa, a representative from the police, emphasised the importance of educating students on security tips, stressing that “security is everybody’s business.”
He also called on the government to install CCTV cameras and security alarms in schools to ensure student safety in emergencies.