Boko Haram
Boko Haram

Official statistics from a recent report have reveals that Boko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria claimed the lives of about 611 teachers between 2009 and 2015. According to Mr Oluseyi Soremekun, who is the UN National Information Officer, 910 schools were destroyed, while at least 1,500 others were closed down in the period under review.

The UN official in a media chat in Abuja said that the information is contained in a report entitled:” Launch of the 2016 Global Education Monitoring Report on Nigeria,” which will be officially launched on Monday, September 27 in Abuja. Citing further portions of the report, Soremekun added: “As of 2015 in Nigeria, where Boko Haram has targeted education workers and students, at least 611 teachers had been deliberately killed and 19,000 forced to flee since 2009.”

“By early 2016, an estimated 952,029 school-age children had fled the violence. Teachers are at risk. According to the report, there is an urgent need for progress in education to speed up. On current trends, universal primary education in sub-saharan Africa will be achieved in 2080, while lower secondary completion will be achieved in 2099. This will leave the region 70 years late for the 2030 SDGs deadline.”

Soremekun also disclosed that the UNESCO is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to organize a forum for stakeholders in the nation’s education sector which will be focused on the implementation of Goal Four of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).