UNICEF has expressed serious concern about Nigeria’s escalating issue of out-of-school children, which now stands at 18.3 million, the highest globally. Dr. Tushar Rane, speaking at a regional meeting in Gombe, highlighted the challenges faced, including low school attendance and inadequate transition rates. Factors contributing to this crisis include policy gaps, funding shortages, teacher deficits, poor infrastructure, cultural norms, health issues, and child labor. UNICEF, in collaboration with the government, aims to address this through a new framework and models aimed at reducing these numbers and improving educational outcomes. The meeting seeks to develop targeted strategies for Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states to tackle these issues effectively.
