By Godfrey AKON
Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, has disclosed that his state has approximately 900,000 out-of-school children.
Bagudu, who stated this at the national campaign on out-of-school children in Birnin Kebbi, said his administration has committed over N15.5 billion towards the construction of 552 classroom blocks, boreholes, toilets and furniture for the course of out-of-school children in the state.
Represented by the Secretary to the Kebbi State Government, Babale Yauri, the governor expressed the state government’s commitment to eradicate the out-of-school children menace.
He said through series of interventions, kebbi state has put in place a number of strategies, including sensitization and massive enrolment drive as well as the provision of necessary and adequate infrastructure.
Nigeria’s education ministry said, in a statement, that 42 nomadic schools have been constructed to provide access to quality education for the children of nomads and migrant fishermen. Similarly, the Governor said 167 basic literacy centres have been established for the purpose of integrating Almajiris into formal education.
The statement also quoted the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, as saying that bringing every child on board the ship of education is a National priority which every stake holder must take seriously.
Nwajiuba said, no Nation can make meaningful progress with a high number of its youths as illiterates.
According to the minister, the high number of out-of-school children is inimical to the growth and development of any Nation.
Nwajiuba said his ministry is determined to ensure that all children of school age who are out of school are returned and retained to complete their Basic and secondary education and possibly transit to tertiary institutions.
He called for synergy amongst stakeholders especially communities where these children exist to ensure that they are given the necessary support to achieve education, adding that this is the only way we can achieve a better, reliable, developed and peaceful society.
He also appealed to good spirited individuals and groups to take responsibility for the education of these children, especially for the orphaned who have no one to carter for their educational needs.
The minister also called on state governments to upscale their efforts in supporting the Federal Government in the task of educating these children, adding that education is a collective responsibility.
