The Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), Rev. John joseph Hayab, has raised concerns over the increasing rate of gender-based violence against girls in public schools.
Speaking at a Girl-Child Education discussion on Gender-Based Violence in public schools held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists press centre in Kaduna on Tuesday, Hayab condemned the alarming rise in gender-based violence in public schools.
He stressed that the issue demands collective attention and urgent action by stakeholders.
According to him, “Education is the most powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and empowering young people to build a better future.
“Yet, across Kaduna State, many girls in Senior Secondary School (SSS3) face the heartbreaking reality of being unable to sit for their NECO examinations simply because they cannot afford the fees.”
He lamented that the 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.
Hayab commended Governor Uba Sani for his passion and significant strides in transforming the education sector in Kaduna State, saying that 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,” Hayab observed.
He also noted that the government has commendably allocated a budget line for the external examination fees, appealing that it is crucial that the funds are released immediately as delay in disbursing the funds will mean that thousands of students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, may miss their examinations this year.
Hayab appealed to the Kaduna State Government to prioritise the immediate release of funds to sponsor NECO examinations for SSS3 students, stressing that the state government established 30 Community School Safety Committees across the three senatorial zones to address harassment and create safer school environments.