THE ROLE OF SCHOOL-COMMUNITY COLLABORATION INADDRESSING SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING PUBLIC SECONDARYSCHOOLS IN NORTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the role of school-community Collaboration in Addressing security Challenges Facing Public
secondary schools in North-west zone, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives among which were:
Ascertain the impact of parents on physical security management in public secondary schools in North-West Zone,
Nigeria. Ascertain the impact of teachers and staff on human security management in public secondary schools in
North-West Zone, Nigeria. In line with the objectives, A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population
of the study is 2,172,355comprising of staff, students, teachers, principals and SBMC officials across selected
public secondary schools, and a sample of 384 respondents and 370 copies of questionnaires were successfully
retrieved. Data were collected using the School-Community Relationship and Security Management
Questionnaire (SCRSMQ). Descriptive statistics of frequency and mean were used to answer research questions,
while inferential statistics of ANOVA tested the hypotheses. The findings revealed among others that: Parents
significantly impact physical security by patrolling premises, providing resources, monitoring entry and exits,
addressing threats, reporting issues, and renovating school buildings (p = 0.188). Teachers and Staff role human
security by maintaining discipline, enforcing safety rules, providing psychological support, preventing conflicts,
and offering first aid(p = 0.163). School Administrators manage emergency alerts through communication
systems, collaboration with security agencies, drills, and ensuring functional emergency equipment(p =
0.201).The study concluded that school-community relationships are critical for effective security management in
public secondary schools in the North-West Zone of Nigeria. Stakeholders including parents, teachers,
administrators, community leaders, volunteers, alumni, and SBMCs each play distinct but complementary roles
in maintaining school safety across physical, human, emergency, risk, behavioural, electronic, and database
dimensions. The study recommended among others that: Parents should be actively involved in patrolling,
reporting, and funding security infrastructure in schools. Teachers and staff should receive training on human
security management, conflict resolution, and first aid to enhance student safety.