The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has urged Principals, Zonal Coordinators and Stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to continue to promote gender equality and harmony in schools and in the classroom as well as mitigating against gender based violence.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Sani Dahir El-katuzu gave this charge during a capacity building for school Principals and other Stakeholders on the National Policy on Gender in Education and it’s implementation guide and the Referral pathway for Schools in FCT.
The Secretary explained that, “This programme will expose you to the new National Policy on gender in Education and equip you with the knowledge and skills to enable you contribute meaningfully and effectively to finding solutions to gender issues as it affect your responsibilities as educators.
He explained that “Over the years, gender issues and concerns have attracted the interest of the global community and despite this great attention, much is still to be done. For example, there is still gender disparity in many areas of human endeavours including the education sector.
He noted that a large number of women, girls and boys have been deprived basic competencies and skills that could assist them to live meaningful lives and contribute to the growth and development of the society.
“Hence, the knowledge acquired from this policy manual will enhance your capacity in closing the gap in education of females and males in the FCT“, he stated.
El-katuzu added that the workshop will expose them to gender main streaming in the education sector as it affects the policies and programmes of government while addressing issues of violence in schools that inhibit the chances of girls and boys in accessing quality education as well as optimal performance in school.
The Education Boss who observed that teachers are sometimes afraid of reporting child abuse for fear of inaccurate report, noted that training programmes will erase their fear urging them that they cannot ignore a child that is a victim of violence even outside school, ” but must help the child and helping the child involves having knowledge of what to do to offer solutions”, El-katuzu added.
Also speaking, the Director of Administration and Finance of Education Secretariat of the FCT, Mallam Abdulrazak Leramoh said as Educators the intensive training on Gender based violence will better equipped them to enhance their abilities to address to various issues in that regards.
He said, FCT Education Secretariat is leaving no stone unturned to ensure gender issues are brought to the front burner, hence with the experienced facilitators, the participants will be able to further put in place processes and mechanisms to report and eradicate sexual and gender based violence for students and staff.
The Head, Gender unit, Mrs Uduakobong Umossoh said, the capacity building program on the National Policy on Gender in Education will help the participants to step up their knowledge of the various issues relating to Gender in the teaching and learning environment.
She thanked the Secretary for Education and the Education Management for their support on Gender issues assuring that, the participants will utilise the opportunity of the training to the benefit of the education sector.
The well attended event was first of its kind to engage educators on Gender matters.
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