The unfortunate growing security crisis in rural Nigerian schools is negatively shaping the education in these communities. When you visit a rural area today, the news will be about parents talking about having to walk long distances through bushland to get to school, walking at night, and worrying about what might happen on their way to school. A teacher told me last week that “My students are so afraid of loud sounds, they jump whenever they hear them.“ This illustrates the level of stress that children endure on a regular basis.
The roots of these security risks stem from the physical environment of rural schools. Many of these schools do not have any type of fence or surrounding and are located so far from populated areas that there are no signs of life except for children‘s laughter heard outside. If something occurs that warrants the need for assistance, it can take an inordinate amount of time to receive help.
How Rural Nigerian Schools Became Easy Targets
The geographical distance between the majority of rural schools and other buildings makes it difficult for a child to feel safe in their school environment; few rural schools have a fence, security personnel, or any protective features. This situation makes it very easy for individuals who wish to cause harm to either students or teachers to access a school.
These common factors stand out:
- Schools situated along lonely areas
- Lack of perimeter fences
- Damaged gates, if any at all
- Weak or no classroom doors and windows
- Long distances between the schools and the closest police station
When all these are considered, it is easy to understand how fragile safety becomes. A school must feel like a safe space for learning, but in many rural communities, that is far from the reality.
The Security Threats Rural Students are Facing
The security risks in rural Nigerian schools go beyond what is written in the newspaper headlines. The quiet, daily struggles often hamper the everyday learning culture of these communities more than many people know.
These students and pupils deal with challenges such as:
- The constant fear of harassment on the way to school
- Long-distance treks through lonely bush paths
- Toilets without privacy, if any restrooms at all
- Wild animals having access to unfenced premises
- Strangers wandering around during lessons in the school environment
Put yourself in the shoes of a child constantly checking your surroundings before settling down to focus on your studies. It definitely distracts you and makes going to school feel like going to war.
How Rural Nigerian Schools Fight the Security Crisis
There are a lot of rural communities that are doing what they can with what is available to them. These little efforts may not completely solve the entire problem, but they show a strong commitment to keeping children safe.
Some actions include:
- Volunteer vigilante patrol groups
- Sponsor community-built perimeter fences
- Adults escorting children during high-risk periods
- Early closing time during tense periods
- Local donation drives for quality security doors and windows
How the Government Must Intervene
The level of security in rural schools can improve with practical steps from the government. These welcome ideas can make a noticeable difference when the authorities are committed to them.
The measures include:
- Building stronger and more secure fences and proper gates
- Employing qualified security personnels to man the gates and school surroundings
- Supporting community watch groups
- ensuring safe routes to school with basic clearing and footpaths
- Enough security staff for larger schools
- Responsive communication lines for eventualities
- Stable support from local government offices
No child should experience feelings of fear when they attend school. We are responsible for educating students to become the best they can become in whatever area they choose to specialise in – including protecting them from threats to their safety.
Curbing the Security Crisis in Rural Nigerian Schools
The security crisis that rural Nigerian schools face concerning security are definitely not insurmountable; however, every step taken to develop security creates opportunities for enhanced learning and strong relationships between schools and the larger community.
Evidence shows that students that are provided with a secure, safe environment while attending school perform at a higher level and become more productive members of their communities because they begin to recognise the value of education and are successful in their chosen area of study.
