65,000 Out-of-School Children Returned to Classrooms in Oyo, Boosting Child Protection and Safeguarding Efforts
Governor Seyi Makinde’s announcement that 65,000 out of school children have been reintegrated into classrooms across Oyo State is more than an education milestone. It is a major child protection intervention.
When children are out of school, they are more exposed to child labour, street exploitation, early marriage, trafficking and recruitment into criminal activity. School is not only a place of learning. It is a structured, supervised environment that offers routine, adult oversight and social support. Bringing 65,000 children back into classrooms strengthens their safety net.
The reintegration effort, supported under the Better Education Service Delivery for All Additional Financing programme backed by the World Bank Group and the Universal Basic Education Commission, demonstrates how coordinated funding and state commitment can close vulnerability gaps. By engaging with implementation teams and inviting field feedback, the state government signals that safeguarding requires monitoring, accountability and continuous improvement.
The Child Rights Act 2003 guarantees every child the right to free, compulsory and universal basic education. Education is directly linked to a child’s right to development, dignity and protection from harm. Reintegrating out of school children is therefore not charity. It is a legal and moral obligation.
Sustaining these gains will require tracking attendance, supporting families facing economic hardship and ensuring schools are safe, inclusive and properly staffed. Reintegration must lead to retention.
If protected and supported, these 65,000 children are more likely to complete school, avoid exploitation and contribute meaningfully to society. Education remains one of the strongest tools for safeguarding children and securing their future.
