1 week Ago By Guardian Nigeria
The alarming statistics of 50 million out-of-school children (OOSC) roaming Nigeria’s streets, as reported by the Federal Government, is not just a number; it represents a national crisis that threatens the future of the country. This situation demands immediate and decisive action from all levels of government, civil society, and stakeholders committed to the development of Nigeria. According to Dr Muhammad Idris, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education (NCAOOSCE) no fewer than 30 million Almajiri and 20 million out-of-school children are roaming about and in need of attention.
Speaking at the inauguration of an eight-man committee to reform the Almajiri education, Idris said the children needed a sense of belonging and direction in their lives. He noted that with the emergence of social vices, a lot of people are taking advantage of the vulnerability of Almajiri children. This statistics cannot but be alarming, given the security implication, and the endemic situation of insurgency in the country.
With approximately 20 million children currently out of school, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. This staggering figure is a reflection of systemic failures in the education system, exacerbated by socio-economic barriers, insecurity, and cultural norms that prioritise early marriage over education. The consequences are dire because a generation deprived of education is a generation at risk of poverty, unemployment, and social unrest.
To address this crisis effectively, the Nigerian government must implement a multi-faceted strategy that encompasses increased investment of education, Accelerated Education Programmes, enhancing security in schools, leveraging technology for education, monitoring and evaluation,strengthening policies,implementation of social protection programmes, collaboration among all stakeholders, community engagement and sensitisation campaigns, and addressing socio-economic barriers in order to create an inclusive educational environment. As such, the government should allocate more resources to the education sector. This includes funding for building new schools, renovating existing facilities, and providing essential learning materials.
The Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme must be revitalised to ensure that every child has access to free and compulsory education and this requires sustainable budget allocationincluding increased allocation for the UBE programme to facilitate the construction of new schools equipped with necessary learning materials and facilities; and enhancing existing facilities by investing in the renovation and upgrading exisiting schools to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. Hence, the government should prioritise education in its budget, ensuring adequate funding for schools, teacher salaries, and educational materials. Again, expanding classrooms and hiring more qualified teachers will address overcrowding in schools.
Essentially, it is important to improve educational infrastructure and build more schools to increase the number of schools in underserved areas, particularly in rural regions where access is limited. Specifically on OOSC, initiatives like the Accelerated Education Programmes should be expanded to bring back children into formal education systems.These programmes should focus on foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
So, government should rise up to the ocassion by designing and implementing programmes for OOSC that provide flexible learning options and allow them to catch up with their peers. In addition, with rising insecurity in many regions, particularly in the North East where Boko Haram has wreaked havoc on educational institutions, it is imperative that the government prioritises the safety of schools. This includes investing in strengthening security measures and ensuring that schools are safe havens for learning.
Beyong the North East, government should prioritise security in regions affected by conflict and violence; and this includes deploying security personnel to schools and implementing community safety initiatives to protect students and teachers. It is also important to attract, recruit and train teachers; not discounting implementing incentives such as housing allowances and competitive salaries to attract qualified teachers to rural areas, and institutionalsing teachers continous professional development to enhance their skills and teaching methods. This will improve the quality of instruction and help retain teachers in rural schools.
Similarly, in an increasingly digital world, technology can play a vital role in expanding access to education, through mobile learning applications and distance education programmes. This is especially valuable in remote areas where access to qualified teachers is limited. Against the backdrop that economic constraints often force families to prioritise short-term financial gains over long-term educational benefits, the government must implement social protection programmes that provide financial support to low-income families, enabling them to send their children to school without fear of economic hardship.
For instance, government should implement targeted financial support programms for low-income families to cover school-related expenses such as uniforms, books, and transportation. Also, the responsibility to address this crisis of OOSC cannot rest solely on the government.It requires collaboration among all stakeholders including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector partners, and community leaders.
Private organisations should be incentivised to provide scholarships, build schools, and support vocational training programmesthat equip students with employability skills. Again, government should implement policies specifically aimed at increasing girls’ enrollment in schools through scholarships, mentorship programmes, and community awareness campaigns that challenge gender stereotypes. NGOs should educate communities about the importance of education, particularly for girls because engaging local leaders can help shift cultural norms that prioritise early marriage over education.
Sensitisation campaigns should target parents and local leaders to change perceptions about girls’ education and the importance of keeping children in school. The future of Nigeria depends on her respond to the challenge posed by millions of out-of-school children. Ensuring that every child has access to quality education is not only a moral imperative but also a critical investment in Nigeria’s future development and prosperity.
Education is not just a fundamental human right; it is an essential driver for economic advancement and social stability..
