Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 4, No.1, February 2016 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Environmental Insecurity and the Nigerian Child’s Learning: Coping Strategies Oluyomi Akintunde (Ph.D) 1 , Grace Selzing-Musa 2 Psychology Unit, Department of Educational Foundations, University of Jos, Nigeria 1 yomiyemi86@yahoo.com, 2 grace.selzing@gmail.com Date Received: December 22, 2015; Date Revised: February 19, 2016 Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 4 No.1,13-17 February 2016 P-ISSN 2350-7756 E-ISSN 2350-8442 www.apjmr.com Abstract - Insecurity is an impediment to learning. This paper focuses on environmental insecurity, learning of the Nigerian child and coping strategies. Impact of security challenges on the child’s learning include stressful studies, poor school attendance, vandalization of school buildings and production of half-baked graduates. Consequently, parents tend to withdraw their children and wards from schools while some affected students resolve on their own to put an abrupt end to their pursuit of education. Strategies for helping the Nigerian school child to cope include: positive mind-set, being security-alert, counselling, provision of security tips and gadgets/equipment as well as community and media sensitization. Keywords: Insecurity, School, Coping, Strategies, Learning INTRODUCTION School security is vital to effective teaching and learning. School activities thrive in environments that support protection of lives and properties. A well- secured learning environment that is devoid of security threats is perceived to enhance learning. In line with this, Shuaibu [1] posited that security is a highly valued goal. Presently, the safety of the school child is of primary concern to stakeholders in the Education sector in Nigeria. This is because school insecurity is becoming a nagging problem sweeping across the nation. Parents are worried about their children and wards’ protection in the face of terrorists’ attacks in Nigeria, especially in the northern part. A terrorist group known as Boko Haram is on the rampage, attacking and bombing public places including schools. They kidnap adults, women, girls, school children and teachers. Majority of the 276 Chibok secondary school girls kidnapped by the Boko haram insurgents in 2014 were yet to be found [2]. Even school assemblies were not spared. Bombs were detonated in school assemblies or around the school. Education has been severely disrupted in the North- eastern part of Nigeria [1], especially with the regular murder and abduction of innocent students. Such incidents helped in creating fear in the minds of students, teachers and parents; causing withdrawal of students from schools or outright closure of schools for long periods. Also, in different parts of the middle-belt and the North, religious crisis had erupted leading to violent attacks that hindered smooth learning of students in schools. Many Christian students hadbeen withdrawn from Mission schools located within Muslim- dominated areas in Jos (and vice versa) as a result of series of religious attacks. The few Christian students remaining in such schools often carry out their academic activities with hidden fear of the unknown and cautious actions. Examples are mission secondary schools located in Nassarawa area of Jos. In the other parts of Nigeria, other forms of environmental insecurity abound. These include kidnappings, violent attacks and cultism. Kidnapping is growing at an alarming rate in Nigeria [2]. Adults, children, teachers and students are kidnapped for days and ransom demanded. Vanguard news [10] reported the rescue of three kidnapped Kogi polytechnic students by police men in Lokoja. The kidnappers asked for 20 million Naira ransom. Also, Iheamnachor [3] reported that five (5) secondary school teachers were abducted at gun-point from a school in Rivers State and the abductors demanded25 Million Nairaransom for the release of the teachers. The visit of the gun-men left the people in the area in total fear and tension.