Abstract

The paper systematically reviewed safe and inclusive environments for Nigerian schools. The review was based on a conceptual and empirical approach of selected literature. Four objectives guided the review. These include the establishment of the conceptualization and contextualization of safe and inclusive environment, elements of safe and inclusive environment, level of environmental safety and limitations of safe and inclusive environments in Nigerian schools. Findings from the review revealed the conceptualisation of safe and inclusive school environment within the context of ease of accessing school environment and educational facilities and resources, removal of barriers to accessing educational facilities as well as removing of elements of hazards and violence. The study further revealed that the basic components and elements of safe and inclusive environment in Nigerian are situated within the context of physical, social, psychological, environmental and psychosocial safety. Poor state of safe and inclusive environment in Nigerian schools was established as most schools were found to lack adequate resources and facilities that constitute a safe and inclusive environment. Based on the findings, the paper recommended adequate provision of funds to cater for creation of physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environments for everyone in Nigerian schools; the implementation of 1993 decree for the provision of inclusive education with clear and comprehensive legal protection and security backing; and the training and retraining of teachers towards effective teaching and learning in our school environment, among others.