A cohort of Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) working on transparency and accountability in the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) projects in Kaduna State has called for adherence to safety and security guidelines in the use of public schools as temporary markets. Members of the Cohort gave this charge in a jointly signed press statement in which they expressed concerns that if specific guidelines were not followed in the repurposing of schools, the already challenged learning environments could become unsafe for pupils by the time of resumption in the post COVID-19 period.
The Cohort of CSOs, which expressed solidarity with the government and people of Kaduna State on measures being taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, however noted that the closure of regular markets, and subsequent repurposing of schools as temporary market places have implications for education in the state. It said: “As a Cohort which has been tracking UBE funds across the state, we have first hand information of the fragile state of the infrastructure in many of the schools. This Cohort is therefore very concerned that if the schools are repurposed for markets without following clearly defined protocols to prevent damage of the infrastructure, the schools may become worse off than they were in the pre-COVID-19 period.”
The Cohort which is supported by MacArthur Foundation also drew attention of the government to what it described as the critical issue of health and well being of pupils who would return to learn in the schools after the pandemic. The group therefore advocated for the implementation of clear and timely guidelines for decontamination of the school environments after their temporary use.
Still on the issue of health and hygiene in the schools, the group observed that many of the schools in question lack Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, including running water and functional toilets. It therefore warned that Kaduna State could not afford another epidemic precipitated by anomalies like open defecation in the premises of the school during and after the temporary use of the spaces as markets.
“This Cohort therefore calls on the government to use the opportunity provided by the COVID-19 crisis to provide WASH facilities, especially in schools that have been repurposed. This Cohort similarly calls on the government to mandate security agencies to ensure trespassers do not gain entry to vandalise and pilfer items in the schools.
“In the interim, we call on the Market Development Agency to provide mobile sanitary facilities for use of traders and customers when pressed,” the group said. The statement was jointly signed by the Resource Centre for Human Rights&Civic Education (CHRICED), Legal Awareness for Women in Nigeria (LAWN), Community Life Project (CLP), Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Connected Development (CODE), Pastoral Resolve (PARE), Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Budgit, Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), Human Development Initiatives (HDI), and The Education Partnership (TEP) Centre.
