By Ijeoma Popoola
With Nigeria’s out-of-school children figure still high at 18.3 million, an international charity has initiated fresh moves to tackle the syndrome.
The Ibironke Adeagbo Foundation (IAF), based in England, said it was determined to contribute significantly to tackling the crisis.
IAF had been campaigning for intensified efforts to tackle out-of-school syndrome in Nigeria, where UNICEF and UNESCO have reeled out huge figures of out-of-school children from year-to- year.
In a statement on Friday, the Founder of the foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, said the fresh initiative was to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
Adeagbo said the foundation was working on what she described as a “roadmap” to be unveiled by the foundation this month to tackle the problem and salvage early-child education in Nigeria.
According to her, the foundation has come out in full force to support the Federal Government to overcome the syndrome.
“With over 18 million children out-of-school, Nigeria’s education landscape faces an unprecedented crisis.
“The nation’s economic and social future depends on our collective commitment to quality education,’’ the British-born Nigerian, who resides in London, said.
She said Nigeria’s education system was grappling with challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and under-funding.
“The foundation is committed to driving actionable solutions at this point in time because we must secure a brighter future for our out-of-school children and Nigerian education in general.
“Education is the cornerstone of development and progress,” Adeagbo added.
Adeagbo disclosed that an international summit on education had been slated Nov. 26 to ignite discussions on how to over the challenge.
“We cannot afford to overlook the urgent needs of the education sector,” she said.
She said that the summit tagged: “Street to School: A Tech-Based Solution to Address Nigeria’s Education Crisis’’ would ignite critical discussions that would lead to substantial and measurable changes in Nigeria’s education landscape.
Adeagbo called on the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to education in line with UNESCO’s recommendation of 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the total budget.
She also called for strengthening of partnerships with civil society groups to fund educational initiatives aimed at tackling various problems in the education sector, especially the out-of-school challenge.
Adeagbo said that Nigeria should implement initiatives targeted specifically at marginalised groups, including girls, children with disabilities and those from low-income families.
The IAF founder stressed the need for the government to utilise technology to boost learning opportunities, especially in remote communities and unserved areas.
Adeagbo added that Nigeria should give priority attention to training of teachers to equip them with skills to deliver quality education.
“We believe that Nigeria can establish a sustainable and inclusive educational framework that will leave no child behind,’’ she stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that insecurity caused by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping plaguing Nigeria for years, contributed much to out-of-school syndrome in the country.
However, the Federal Government has been fighting to stamp out the negative activities to allow children to have unrestricted access to the classrooms. (NAN)
