By Daniel Tyokua
The Secretary for FCT Education Secretariat Sani Dahir El-katuzu, has called on Principals, Zonal Coordinators and Stakeholders in the education sector to continue to promote gender equality and harmony in schools to mitigate gender based violence.
El-katuzu gave the 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 the territory.
He said:”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.
“Over the years, gender issues and concerns have attracted the interest of the global community and despite this great attention, much is still needed 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 of basic competencies and skills that could assist them to live meaningful lives and contribute to the growth and development of the society.
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 secretary explained that teachers are sometimes afraid of reporting child abuse for fear of inaccurate report, therefore this training programme will erase their fear urging them that they cannot ignore a child that is a victim of violence outside school, but must help the child.
In his remarks, the Director of Administration and Finance, Mallam Abdulrazak Leramoh said as Educators ,the intensive training on Gender based violence will better equipped them to enhance their abilities to address the various issues.
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 mechanism to report and eradicate sexual and gender based violence for students and staff”
