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Tag: out-of-school

  • Of 33% out-of-school children, 60% lack teachers

    Of 33% out-of-school children, 60% lack teachers

    One out of every three school-age Nigerian children being out of school (OOS) and six out of 10 schools which the ‘lucky’ ones attend do not have enough qualified teachers.

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated these and more of the persisting ills of Nigeria’s system at the primary and secondary school levels.

    The non-government organisation stated  that about 33 percent of children who should be in school at those two levels are not.

    “One in three children in Nigeria is out of school,” according to the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in charge of Bauchi Zone, Dr Tusher Rane.

    Rane, during an event in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, made the point that unsafe school environment is a catalyst for children staying out of school, and spelt out the statistics.

    He said 10.2 million children at the primary school level and 8.1 million children at the junior secondary level are outside the school system. 

    The occasion on which Dr Rane spoke was the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Education (IDE) which featured a  roundtable discussion at the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), where representatives of the state government and UNICEF officials were joined by other NGO leaders and selected students in discussing the learning crisis in Adamawa State and suggesting ways through.

    Mentioning some of the reasons for the dismal situation in education delivery, Rane noted that globally, surge of violent conflicts is making schools unsafe and learning impossible for children.

    He added, “In Northern Nigeria, there were 499 school closures due to floods, fear of attacks, or occupation by state and non-state actors in 2022 – 26 of these schools were in Adamawa State.”

    Making reference to a recent Humanitarian Needs Overview, he added that conflict in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (collectively called BAY states) left approximately 1,400 schools damaged, many of them still unrehabilitated or without sufficient learning materials.

    Some others of the issues identified at the Yola roundtable as bedeviling safe and quality education especially around the North East include dearth of infrastructure and logistics, insufficient funding and lack of diligence by the few teachers who exist in the usually inadequately staffed schools.

    Other issues raised include non-completion of school syllabus, use of school facilities for non-school activities that forces children out of school, as well as threats to safety, often evidenced by absence of perimeter walls around schools.

    Delivering a paper on the Crisis of Education in Adamawa State during the Yola International Day of Education commemoration of January 24, 2024, Abdurrahman Ibrahim Ado, Education Specialist with UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said 1.4 million children are out of school in the insurgency harrassed states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    He added that the condition of education delivery in those places has become so bad that 72 percent of pupils cannot read simple text after completing primary six.

    During the January 24 IDE commemoration in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, UNICEF highlighted that more than 60% of schools in the BAY states lack qualified teachers.

    “Less than 40 per cent of schools in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have teachers with the minimum level of teaching qualifications,” the UNICEF Chief of Field Office for Borno, Phuong Nguyen, said.

    Touching on the out of school phenomenon, Nguyen added, “As of today, more than half of all displaced children in North East Nigeria are out of school. For many children, the right to education has still not translated into the right to learn.” 

    Calling on government, humanitarian partners, and all other stakeholders in education to scale up their education financing for the region, she said, 

    “We must make a sizeable and sustainable investment in teachers’ recruitment and training, school infrastructure and security, including fortification of school infrastructure.”

    As many organisations have often stressed, girls fare worse in the education delivery crisis. For factors uniquely their own, girls lag behind boys in the business of getting educated.

    Earlier in time, in September last year, at an education conference that as often had UNICEF in the driving seat, it was said that over 50% of Nigerian girls were not attending school at the basic education level.

    An UNICEF Education Manager, Jutaro Sakamoto, during the conference in Abuja, disclosed that 7.6 million girls were out of school in Nigeria: 3.9 million at the primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.

    Sakamoto specified that 48 percent of OOS girls were in the most educationally disadvantaged regions: North West and North East.

    He said only 9 percent of the poorest girls attend secondary school.

    Sakamoto who lamented that Nigeria accounted for 15 percent of OOS children globally, said UNICEF’s Education Opportunity for Out-Of-School Children (OOSC) project had been able to make some impact.

    Speaking earlier during the education conference, Mufutau Tijani, a Professor of French and Applied Linguistics at the University of Abuja, expressed rhe likelihood of even more children being out of school. 

    Speaking on the topic, ‘Demographic Dynamics and Access to Basic Education in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects,’ Tijani linked the challenges of increasing OOSC to population explosion.

    Read Also: Surge in out-of-school children statistics raises concern in Osun

    He explained that Nigeria’s fast growing population, estimated to be 224,991,917 by September 2023, spells trouble because the higher the population the more the number of OOS children as the government struggles to provide infrastructure.

    “Schools are not enough to take care of the large population of children in the country,” he asserted, urging the government to enforce its law on compulsory basic education and raise funding for education.

    Implying that parents must play their part, the university don called for attention to family planning.

    Back to the Yola education roundtable of Wednesday, UNICEF’s Tusher Rane urged government to scale up foundational learning.

    “Government must increase the adequacy, efficiency, and accountability of domestic education financing,” he said, offering that as partners, UNICEF and other education-focused authorities would deliver on commitments to transforming quality learning for every Nigerian child. 

  • Despite funding, Concerns mount over rising out-of-school kids

    Despite funding, Concerns mount over rising out-of-school kids

    Minister of State for Education Dr. Yusuf Sununu has lamented high rate of out-of school children in northern states, saying it is “disheartening” just as the House of Representatives ordered an investigation into the disbursement of funds meant to reduce the menace, TONY AKOWE, Abuja and DAVID ADENUGA, Bauchi report.

    Statistics from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) indicated that one in three children in Nigeria is out of school, totalling 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary school (JSS) level. The UNICEF also claimed that 12.4 million children have never attended school and 5.9 million left school prematurely, contributing to Nigeria’s out-of-school population. The Nigerian figure accounts for 15 per cent of the global total. Despite effort to reduce figure, it is increasing.

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday has ordered an investigation into the disbursement of funds meant to reduce the phenomenon through the Alternate School Programme (ASP), Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) and At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) to ascertain the role played by the various ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) handling the programme.

    ‘Figure disheartening, unacceptable’

    While the probe is yet to kick off, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, has expressed concern over the growing figure, particularly in the Northern region.

    Describing the situation as disheartening and unacceptable, he emphasised the need for collective efforts from stakeholders to address the challenges in the education sector, highlighting that failure in education signifies the failure of the entire nation. Sununu made the remark during the Bauchi Education Summit held at Dr. Saad Abubakar Hajj Camp in Bauchi on Monday.

    “The rising figure of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern part, is not only unacceptable, but disheartening. There must be concerted efforts to address and reverse the trend of this time-bomb phenomenon,” he said.

    The minister, who underscored the urgency of concerted efforts to reverse the alarming trend, noted that the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children would enhance collaborations and synergy to address the issues.

    Appeal for collaboration from Ulamas, school proprietors

    Dr. Sununu revealed that the commission’s goal is to integrate Tsangaya/Madarasa schools into basic education, urging collaboration from Ulamas and school proprietors.

    “I, therefore, wish to solicit the cooperation of Ulamas and proprietors of these schools. May I also use this opportunity to call on the sub-national level to come forward with a similar agency backed by state law to serve the same purposes. This will facilitate better collaborations and synergy in addressing issues of out-of-school children and grant the Tsangaya schools the necessary recognition and status they deserve.

    “While this administration keeps doing the best within the limits of available resources to better position of the country in the comity of nations and redeem its image, I request that all hands should be on deck to save our dear country from the myriads of socio-economic and political challenges that beset it. Topmost among such challenges are the problem of insecurity and unemployment,” he said.

    Read Also: Three kidnapped while performing sacrifice at Enugu river

    The minister lauded Governor Bala Mohammed’s pro-activeness in bridging the gaps in the education sector in the state, citing initiatives such as teacher capacity-building, recruitment of additional teachers and infrastructure growth. He encouraged the summit participants to leverage the opportunities provided by the state governor, urging them to devise practical, implementable, locally accepted and cost-effective solutions to address the prevailing educational challenges in the state.

    Speaking on the theme, Governor Mohammed said part of his administration’s commitment is ensuring quality education and increase in the state budgetary allocation to education.

     “I am proud to announce a progressive increase in budgetary allocation to education since the beginning of my first administration. In the fiscal year 2023, we have allocated approximately 16 per cent of the total budget to education — a record high in recent years. This significant investment underscores our firm belief that a well-funded education sector is crucial for the overall development of our state.

    House to probe disbursement of funds

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the disbursement of funds meant to reduce the figure through the Alternate School Programme (ASP), Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) and At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) to ascertain the role played by the various MDAs concerned.

    This followed the adoption of a motion on notice by Hon. Tijani Kayode Ismail at plenary presided over by Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen. Kayode said the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria remains a persistent challenge, despite efforts from the Federal Government, international development partners and non-governmental organisations.

    He said in 2022, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) ranked Nigeria third among countries with the highest number of out-of-school children with 20 million children. He added that in October 2019, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the Federal Government committed N10 billion for the removal of 10.2 million out-of-school children from the streets within five years by enrolling two million children yearly.

    On January 31, 2022, he said the Federal Government adopted the then Presidential Committee on Alternate Education report and renewed its commitment to provide educational opportunities for over 10 million out-of-school children through the Alternate School Programme (ASP) under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Over N200 billion was allocated for the initiative.

    According to him, the Alternate School Programme was an initiative of the Federal Government aimed at improving access to education for Nigerian children, eliminating or substantially reducing child begging, fostering tolerance, unity and integration of all children with diverse backgrounds, and reviewing and approving all work and implementation plans that enhanced the effective delivery of providing alternative schooling.

    He said a similar intervention by the World Bank worth $750 million was accessed and utilised within the last four years through Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) for the enrollment of out-of-school Children in Nigeria.  According to the lawmaker, in 2021, the Federal Government introduced the At-Risk Children Programme (ARC-P), requiring hundreds of billions of Naira in expenditure.

    He expressed regrets that despite the Federal Government’s efforts and the release of funds for the execution of the programme, the number of out-of-school children continues to increase rapidly. He said the misuse of Alternate School Programme funds to reduce out-of-school children has negatively impacted these schemes, leaving many children uneducated.

    The House, after the debate, ordered an investigation into the disbursement of funds meant to reduce the figure.

  • Northern Nigeria and its out-of-school children

    Northern Nigeria and its out-of-school children

    By: Aisha Ali Abubakar

    SIR:  In Northern Nigeria, the rising number of out-of-school children presents a significant challenge to the region’s development and future prospects. The complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and infrastructural factors has perpetuated this issue, leaving a substantial portion of the youth population without access to education, a fundamental human right.

    Socio-economic disparities stand as a primary hurdle in ensuring children’s enrolment and retention in schools. Poverty-stricken families often struggle to prioritize education due to financial constraints, compelling children to leave school to support their families. The cyclical nature of poverty exacerbates this situation, trapping generations in a cycle of limited opportunities and perpetuating educational disparities.

    Cultural norms and practices in Northern Nigeria contribute significantly to the educational imbalance, especially for girls. Deep-rooted beliefs, early marriage customs, and societal expectations limit girls’ access to education. These norms undermine the importance of education for girls, leading to disproportionately low enrolment rates and hindering their overall development and empowerment.

    Moreover, inadequate infrastructure and educational resources further impede children’s access to education in the region. The shortage of schools, trained teachers, and educational materials, particularly in rural and remote areas, presents a significant challenge. Limited access to safe transportation options also compounds the problem, making it difficult for children to reach schools regularly.

    Read Also: Jigawa, UNICEF, other to address Out-of-School rate

    Addressing the issue of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria demands a multifaceted approach. Government intervention is pivotal, requiring policies that address poverty alleviation and provide financial aid to families. These policies should prioritize and incentivize education, particularly for marginalized communities, to ensure equitable access for all children.  

    Community engagement and awareness campaigns play a vital role in reshaping mind-sets and breaking cultural barriers. Educating communities about the transformative power of education, especially for girls, can challenge existing norms and encourage families to prioritize schooling for their children. Empowering local communities through education-focused initiatives fosters an environment conducive to learning.

    Investments in infrastructure development are crucial to improving educational access. Building more schools, ensuring adequate educational resources, providing teacher training, and establishing safe transportation networks are necessary steps to enhance educational opportunities for children in Northern Nigeria.

    Collaborative efforts between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community-based groups, and private sectors are essential. These partnerships can pool resources, expertise, and innovative solutions to reach out to the most marginalized children effectively.

    In conclusion, addressing the issue of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria necessitates a comprehensive and collaborative effort. By addressing socio-economic, cultural, and infrastructural challenges collectively, Northern Nigeria can pave the way for an inclusive and equitable education system. Providing quality education to all children is not only a fundamental right but also a catalyst for breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering sustainable development in the region.

    • Aisha Ali Abubakar (Kirawa), Borno State University, Maiduguri.
  • EU earmarks N32.9b for out-of-school children

    EU earmarks N32.9b for out-of-school children

    The European Union has earmarked €40,000,000 (N32,958,400,000) to address out-of-school challenges in Jigawa, Kano and Sokoto.

    The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi said this during a visit to Ministers of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman and Dr Yusuf Sununu in Abuja yesterday.

    Isopi said the funds would be utilised under the EU’s Education and Youth Empowerment Northwestern Nigerian program in collaboration with UNICEF.

    Read Also: Abbas, Kalu decry increasing sexual violence against children, out-of-school children

    She said the five year programme, which would be launched next week, would support Federal and State governments to address issues in the three states caused by rising insecurity.

    According to her, the EU will continue to support the strengthening of Nigeria’s education system.

    She said: “The Education and Youth Empowerment Northwestern Nigerian programme aims to provide quality education and development skills, with a particular focus on girls in rural and underserved areas. It is designed to support the Nigerian government at the federal and state levels.”

    The outputs of the program include: strengthening education planning and policy framework implementation; Enhanced policy dialogue within the education sector; Strengthened community involvement in school-level education administration; improved planning, monitoring and management of education data of federal, state government level.

  • Governor decries 680,000 out-of-school children

    Governor decries 680,000 out-of-school children

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has lamented the number of out-of-school children in the state which he put at 680,000 currently.

    Noting that the figure is alarming and unacceptable, Governor Sani urged all stakeholders to support the government to help reverse the trend for the state to make meaningful progress in the fight against insecurity, illiteracy and building a better future.

    The governor was speaking during a meeting with senior citizens and elders from Kaduna State yesterday to brief them on the activities of his administration so far.

    Read Also: Reps to return 14m out-of-school kids to classroom

    He said that his administration has embarked on the construction of over sixty-two new secondary schools through a $28 million Kuwait fund to address the classroom deficit in Kaduna State.

    Governor Sani also highlighted the current challenges of insecurity in the state and the urgent need for all hands to be on deck.

    While commending the governor for his open-door policy, the elders resolved to collaborate with the government on policy, security, development and other pertinent matters concerning the state.

  • Reps to return 14m out-of-school kids to classroom

    Reps to return 14m out-of-school kids to classroom

    The House of Representatives Committee on Alternative Education has said it is working on a framework to ensure that over 14 million out-of-school children return to the classroom within the shortest possible time. 

    The committee also said it would ensure that 16.5 million Nigerians are lifted out of poverty to aid the return of out-of-school children to schools.

    Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the Northeast leads in the poverty index with 71.86 per cent of its population in poverty; while the Northwest has 64.84 per cent; and the Northcentral has 42.70 per cent.

    Others are: the Southeast, with 42.44 per cent; the Southsouth with 21.28 per cent; and the Southwest with 12.12 per cent.

    In a statement by its Chairman Almustapha Ibrahim Aliyu (APC, Sokoto), the committee said the House intervention would reduce poverty as follows: Northeast, 4 million people; Northwest, 3.4 million people; Northcentral, 2.5 million; Southeast, 3 million; Southsouth, 2.1 million, and Southwest, 1.6 million.

    Aliyu said the framework would also see the out-of-school children acquiring relevant skills to become productive members of the society.

    The committee chairman said the House intervention would address vital issues in public education by tackling poverty and value gaps.

    Read Also: Reps plan 14m out-of-school children programme

    He added that in partnership with relevant government agencies, the intervention aims at improving access to education for all Nigerian children in line with the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs-4) on qualitative and inclusive education for all.

    According to him, the project is tagged: Nigeria Mass Reduction of Out-of-School Children and Youth Project (NiMPROP) and will last four years.

    Aliyu said: “It would significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children through non-formal accelerated education system and other alternative schooling programmes.”

    The government agencies the House would work with, the committee chairman said, include the National Commission of Almajiri and out-of-school children, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education and the National Commission for Nomadic Education.

    He said the committee had several engagements with the agencies in the past week, getting favourable responses from them.

    Aliyu said necessary machinery had been put in place for the actualisation of the intervention with the House getting set to reconvene from its annual recess tomorrow.

  • Reps plan 14m out-of-school children programme

    Reps plan 14m out-of-school children programme

    The House of Representatives Committee on Alternative Education said it is actively developing a framework aimed at swiftly reintegrating over 14 million out-of-school Nigerian children back into the education system.

    The committee also said it was working assiduously to ensure that 16.5 million Nigerians are lifted out of poverty, which will ensure the return of out-of-school children to schools.

    According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Northeast leads in the poverty index with 71.86 percent of its population in poverty, followed by the Northwest with 64.84 percent, while the North Central has 42.70 percent. Others are: South East, 42.44%; South South, 21.28% and South West, 12.12%.

    However, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Almustapha Ibrahim Aliyu (APC, Sokoto) said in a statement that the intervention by the House committee would targets the reduction of poverty as follows: Northeast, 4 million people; North West, 3.4m people; North Central, 2.5m; South East, 3m; South South, 2.1m, and South West, 1.6m.

    He said the framework will also see the out-of-school children trained with relevant skills to become productive members of the society.

    He said the intervention by the Green Chamber targets addressing public education by tackling poverty and value gaps.

    Read Also: Jigawa has 123,996 out-of-schools children – Govt

    He said that In partnership with relevant government agencies, the intervention aims at improving access to education for all Nigerian children in line with the aspirations of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs-4) on qualitative and inclusive education for all.

    According to him, the project is tagged ‘Nigeria Mass Reduction of Out-of-School children and Youth Project’ (NiMPROP) and will last for a period of four years.

    He said: “It would significantly reduce the number of of out-of-school children through non-formal accelerated education system and other alternative schooling programmes”.

    The government agencies include the National Commission of Almajiri and out-of-school children, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education and the National Commision for Nomadic Education.

    He said the committee had several engagements with the relevant agencies in the past week with favourable responses from them.

    He said the necessary machinery has been put in place for the actualization of the intervention as the House gets set to reconvene from its annual recess on Tuesday, September 26.

  • Entertainer laments high rate of out-of-school children

    Entertainer laments high rate of out-of-school children

    International Disc Jockey (DJ) and philanthropist, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, also known as DJ Cuppy, has advocated quality education for children across the world.

    Otedola spoke at the occasion of the International Day of Peace Youth Event at the United Nations, New York, yesterday.

    Speaking about how passionate she is committed to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is about quality education, Florence called for protection, support and empowerment of girls.

    Read Also: Why every child deserves quality education, by DJ Cuppy

    Otedola said: “Peace begins with us. You can make the world a better place. I would not be standing here if not because of my education.

    “I’ve a deep passion to make impact through education. My foundation founded six years ago has been focused on education. I’ve three university degrees. Education is everything, it has paved the way for me. It has allowed me to become a woman with an international vision.

    “Life can be tough and unpeaceful. I was in Borno State, Nigeria in 2019, and I was frightened. We need to protect, support and empower girls. We know empowerment can put food on the table, but education can build the table.

  • Reversing out-of-school kids statistics

    By Chinaka Okoro

    The United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) says one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. The Corona Schools Trust Council (CSTC) is working against this trend, writes CHINAKA OKORO

    Corona Schools Trust Council Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Adeyoyin Adesina believes education sector in Nigeria has received little attention, little innovation or investment. Teachers’ quality, she believe, is on the decline. And she is not amused by the mind-buggling numbers of out-of-school children. All these, she argues, are big, complex national issues.

    Goal four of the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals is the need for a child to get quality education. According to the UN campaign for quality education, obtaining a quality education is the foundation for creating sustainable development.  In addition to improving quality of life, access to inclusive education can help equip the people with the tools required to develop innovative solutions to the world’s greatest problems. The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) formerly called the United Nations Children Emergency Funds (UNICEF) revealed that, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria.

    It further revealed that, even though primary education is officially free and compulsory in Nigeria, about 10.5 million of Nigeria’s children aged 5 to 14 years are not in school, only 61 per cent of six to 11-year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 per cent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education.

    Overcoming  the aforementioned  challenges, which is believed can be achieved through effective partnership among all stakeholders  that would eventually  improve the nation’s  education quality and system was the centre of  focus at the  Corona Schools’ Trust Council’s maiden edition  of its Corona Connect Series with the theme: “Quality Education: Imperative for  Social Change” and with sub-theme: sustainability Channels for Economic Empowerment: A Spotlight on Education.

    The well-attended seminar held at the expansive hall of The Podium, Lekki,  Lagos on Thursday, October 24. It had in attendance one of the renowned educationists, Hon. (Mrs.) Folasade Adefisayo and Lagos State Commissioner for Education. Incidentally, she was an  Executive Director, Corona  Schools’ Trust Council.  Aside being the keynote speaker, she equally represented Lagos State Governor  Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Other dignitaries at the event were  member, Corona Schools Trust Council, Mr. Kunle Adebajo, CEO Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs. Adeyoyin Adesina, former Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, and Chairman, Corona Schools’ Trust Council, Justice Bukunola Adebiyi.

    Adesina described the moment as a proud one for the school, which has been in existence for over five decades to champion the course of education and socio-economic development in Nigeria. She described the series as a thought-provoking relationship for education and social economic well-being. According to Adesina, the aim of the series was to “make a connection for an enabler that not only drives innovation in the classroom but also in the nation.

    She said: “Over the last three decades, we have witnessed a number of changes in the education landscape in Nigeria. The sector has not been immune to the economic downturn in the country characterised by poverty, high unemployment rate, rising debt profile, high inflation rate, low human population index and unfavourable trade relations, among others.

    “It is arguable that the poor quality of education has led to this issue or vice versa. However, Nigeria is a great country. We, at Corona believe in Nigeria, and with greatness, comes great expectations.

    “Education has, no doubt, been the worst hit with little attention, little innovation or investment made to the sector. Teachers’ quality is on the decline, and we hear mind-buggling numbers of out-of-school children. These are big, complex national issues on education to contend with, hence the relevance of this series.”

    She called on all stakeholders in the education sector, “government, practitioners and investors, to rethink education and commit to the implementation of the redesigned framework that have real potential, to impact social and economic development in Nigeria, using quality education as a bait.

    “Everyone in the private and public sectors need to rally round, work with the government and do what we can to transform education and bring about the desired change that we want to see.

    “Corona slogan is “A Legacy of World-Class Education” and it is because we want to sustain a quality track record, that is why we embark on this  programme because it is not about us as an institution but about what will move us forward as a country.”

    Sanwo-Olu commended CSTC for such  efforts in improving the quality of education in the country, and its invaluable contribution over the years to improving the standard and quality of education.

    He said: “Education is a potent tool of empowerment and human capital development. It opens the doors for Socio-economic development and also for the larger transformation in societies and nations.”

    To attain the social change and economic transformation being demanded, he said “it is imperative therefore that we pay undivided attention to improving our educational sector and turn it around both in terms of the content of our syllabus and the introduction of ICT in order to help the younger generation meet up with the rising demands of the digital age.”

    Speaking on the efforts being made by the Lagos State government towards quality education and returning out-of-school children to the classrooms, Adefisayo said the government is currently focused on introducing ICT into schools’ curriculum, reviewing the school learning syllabus, training and massive recruitment of teachers. “Quality education is very imperative. It is going to drive social change in the country. With quality education, then you will have people who can make the change that we need for this country to move forward.

    “I  am glad to say that the government of his Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has decided to make education a focus area. And he is putting his money in that space, not just saying it. He is also doing everything necessary. So by the THEME’s agenda of his Excellency, the E there is Education and Technology, which understands the need to integrate technology into education. Another area of education we are focusing on is infrastructure.

    “Also teachers’ development is part of it, because a system cannot rise above the level of its teachers. So, we must invest significantly in teachers and not just in terms of their quality, but also in their quantity. We are embarking on an exercise to recruit and keep recruiting teachers as they leave, so that there would be no gap. And we will train them as well.

    “In summary, we are addressing where we teach, we are addressing who teaches us, and then we are addressing what we teach. We are really working hard on all these and you would soon start hearing a lot of good news from Lagos State.”

    Enelamah stressed the importance of returning to the basics.

    “If one looks at what is missing in our country today, one would agree that we need to return to the basics, we need to produce good leadership, reinstate good values, and frankly to build a society that would be globally competitive again. And to achieve this, the most important thing is to ensure that the stakeholders are working together, just like this Corona Connect Series is trying to do.

    “Hence, government needs to be working with people in the education space, investors, financiers and philanthropists, civil societies and parents to ensure that we are all working together to improve education because the situation is quite desperate in the country currently.”

    In a chat with reporters, Justice Adebiyi noted that educating the youth is very imperative to the social development of Nigeria. She also noted that consequences of ignorance are more expensive as compared to the cost for a quality education.

    “Educating our youths, leaders and ourselves is very imperative to the social development of Nigeria. Definitely, we cannot move without education.  And as the largest country in Africa in terms of population, we have a lot to contribute, and we have a teeming population of very intelligent people who, if given the opportunity, would be able to contribute positively to the growth of this country.  “Education is necessary and it is the only vehicle that would move us forward as a country.”

  • Low-cost proprietors targets northern out-of-school children

    The National President, Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Mr Emmanuel Kanu Orji, has said the group would focus on providing low-cost private education for children in northern Nigeria in the next three years.

    In his speech at the first African Education Conference organised by the association, which is the umbrella body for low-cost private schools in Nigeria, Orji said the association was committed to helping Nigeria meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Four, which seeks universal basic education for all.

    Kanu said: “According to our motto, this Association is committed to providing education for all.  The number of out of school children is alarming and every concerned citizen must be involved.  The Association has convoked this August occasion to e-ray the avalanche of problems as currently experienced in Nigeria.  If this is not addressed, the nation might be heading for a collapse before our very eyes.

    “In the next three years, we shall focus on deepening our presence in the North to actualize the vision in the policy document of the United Nations on SDG Four.”

    Praising AFED’s role in providing education for large number of children who would have otherwise been on the streets, renowned researcher on private education, Prof James Tooley, said the association needed to have a voice on the global platform on discourse on universal basic education.

    Tooley, who is AFED’s international patron, and whose research on the veracity low-cost private education brought the group to prominence, shared plans of starting a global federation of low-cost private school associations so they can have a front to push their causes.

    “Why don’t we create a global Federation of low-cost private school associations with AFED as the lead organization?   When SDG policies are being formulated, we are not represented.   The issues AFED faces in Nigeria are the same as those in India, South Sudan, Pakistan, and South Africa.

    “I think a global Federation can help in those countries where there are no federations, build local federations.  It is my desire that such global federation exists, then can our voice be heard,” said Tooley of Buckingham University, UK.

    The two-day conference held at the Ade Ajayi Auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), featured various paper presentations.  In her paper on “Quality and Quantitative Education”, the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, urged private school owners operating in the state to get their schools approved ahead of the 2019/2020 academic session.

    Soyombo urged the proprietors of the low-cost schools to use the long holiday to register their schools and provide conducive learning environment as well as child protection and safeguarding facilities.

    “You must get your school secure and protected because the children must feel safe in the school at all times.

    “We did not shutdown schools because of teaching and learning; we shut them because of poor environment.

    “After this conference, go and look back at how vulnerable your school is and make amends,” she said.

    She counseled the private schools operators to develop Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education so that children can develop key skills.

    She listed the four skills of a 21st century to include critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.

    Mrs Soyombo also delivered a paper on “Leadership and Management Skills in Schools” on the second day of the conference.

    She warned school owners against micro-managing and making leadership revolve around just one individual, saying it was dangerous and could not derail the school’s progress if the person leaves.

    She underscored the need for clear, articulate and short vision and mission statements that all stakeholders can understand and follow.  She also counseled proprietors to treat parents as key stakeholders; and train their teachers.

    “Your parents are your best stakeholders.  Involve them.  When you constitute a board of Governors, involve two good parents,” she said.

    Mrs Soyombo praised AFED for organizing the programme to develop capacity of low-cost school owners to deliver.

    “I must really give kudos to AFED and all its members for putting up this programme today at a time where everybody is coming together to review how lessons are being taught in schools,” she said.

    About 1,500 school owners, educational services providers and other resource persons attended the conference.