Insecurity: Imo moves to enhance security in schools, colleges

Desirous to ensure the safety of students, pupils and teachers in both public and private schools in the state, Imo State government has directed all heads of primary and post primary schools to procure and install modern security gadgets in their schools, including first Aid Box, Circular Camera Television (CCTV), Fire Extinguisher, Emergency Exit points among others.
Special Adviser to governor Hope Uzodinma on Public Safety – Prince Ugochukwu Nzekwe who gave the directive at a meeting with the school Heads regretted that the location of some schools in the state had rendered them vulnerable to the antics of criminal elements who not only invade their premise at odd hours and carry out their nefarious activities but also render the environment unconducive for meaningful academic business.
“Some of our schools are very dose to the roads and this exposes the students and their teachers to danger hence the need to have trained safety officers there to control traffic”.
Prince Nzekwe – a 2-time member of the State House of Assembly (Nkwerre constituency) noted that while first Aid boxes would assist to resuscitate and revive students/teachers who suddenly lose consciousness burglary proofs should be installed in such a way as to enable students, their teachers and pupils escape from classrooms and hostels in case of danger.
The Special Adviser who decried non adherence to Covid-19 protocols by some schools and teachers said that the state government would contribute her quota for the actualization of the novelty safety measures, adding that there would be safety clubs to train the students on the need for safety consciousness which would commerce in no distance time.
The former law maker advised the schools heads to always get in touch with his office whenever the need arises for the smooth execution of the project.
“Because we were unable to take care of our environment and imbibe the culture of safety in the past, we are paying the price today and this manifests in such vices as kidnapping, robbery, banditry and abduction of our children”, he lamented.
The Special Adviser added that governor Hope Uzodinma is keenly desirous to install impregnable security in all schools in the state to save students / pupils from all forms of harms.
The schools heads in their various reactions described the measure as a step in the right direction which would not only safeguard lives and properties but also strengthen teaching and learning.
They pleaded for the installation of sign posts and zebra crossing provision of perimeter fencing, trained maid-guards among others in their schools.