The Federal Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched three new handbooks designed to enhance safety in schools and increase awareness of climate-related challenges.

The materials were introduced during a one-day dissemination workshop held in Abuja, focusing on Climate Change Education (CCE), Early Warning Signs (EWS), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)'s Teachers’ Guide on Managing School-Related Violence.

Developed by the Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC with support from UNICEF, the handbooks aim to equip educators and policymakers with tools to address climate threats, implement early warning systems, and tackle school violence.

UNICEF’s Chief of Education in Nigeria, Ms Vanessa Lee—represented by Education Specialist Mrs Nneka Ogbansiegbe—highlighted the handbooks as vital resources for promoting safer learning environments.

The published titles include:

Climate Change Education: Handbook for Schools

Early Warning for Schools: A Guide to Protecting Schools and Learning Centres in Nigeria

Managing Violence in Schools: Handbook for Schools and Learning Centres

“These handbooks outline key strategies for identifying risks, mitigating climate-related impacts, and fostering secure educational settings,” Lee noted.

She traced the initiative back to the 2021 launch of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, along with the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. In 2023, UNICEF introduced a monitoring tool deployed across 6,000 schools. Results revealed that only 20% of schools met at least 70% of the prescribed safety standards.

By 2024, the assessment expanded to 16,023 schools in 18 states, including Borno, Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, and Kaduna, with only 25% meeting the basic safety benchmarks. Over 50% of the institutions scored poorly on disaster readiness, violence prevention, and transportation safety.

To address these deficiencies, UNICEF supported five states in conducting hazard assessments and collaborated with the government to develop the newly launched guides.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Enitan Abel—represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Larai Ahmed—hailed the handbooks as a significant advancement in reinforcing the nation’s education sector. He confirmed the materials had been approved by the Minister of Education for national implementation.

“These resources will play a key role in maintaining secure and nurturing environments for both learners and teachers,” he said, commending all stakeholders involved in the project.

Also present was UBEC’s Deputy Director of Teacher Development, Mrs Patience Omoniyi, who, through Assistant Chief Education Officer Mrs Blessing Uzoamaka, emphasized the importance of providing children with safe and supportive learning spaces.

She urged immediate efforts to combat school violence and environmental hazards, stressing their impact on students' academic success.