The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has sought the support of the Universal Basic Education Commission to ensure the effective operation of schools established in rehabilitation centres for persons affected by conflict across seven states.
Umar made the appeal on Wednesday during a visit to the headquarters of UBEC in Abuja, where she said the schools were built under the Rehabilitation Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict to cater for children and young people resettled in the communities.
She explained that the project was designed to address not only shelter needs but also key social services, including education, healthcare and livelihoods, adding that access to basic education was critical to the long-term recovery of conflict-affected areas.
According to her, although school buildings have been provided at the rehabilitation sites, the facilities require teachers, learning materials and other essential support to become fully functional.
“Education is central to rebuilding communities after conflict. When children are given access to learning, it strengthens recovery and helps restore stability,” she said.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, assured NEMA of the commission’s readiness to collaborate in line with its mandate to promote and coordinate basic education in the country.
Garba commended NEMA for integrating education into the rehabilitation programme and said the commission would work out modalities for an effective partnership to ensure the schools operate as intended.
