UNICEF Raises Concerns Over out of School Children in South West
Source:https://guardian.ng/
UNICEF has raised concerns about an 8-15% dropout rate among adolescents in primary and secondary schools in the Southwest region of Nigeria, which includes Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, and Ogun states. At a regional meeting in Ibadan, UNICEF Education Specialist Azuka Menkiti highlighted that completion rates for primary and secondary education are 92% and 85%, respectively, for students aged 10 to 18.
She warned that failure to achieve full retention and completion in education could significantly impact the sector at both state and national levels. The two-day regional meeting in Nigeria’s Southwest zone focused on enhancing retention, transition, and completion of secondary education for adolescents. UNICEF’s efforts, which build on a decade of successful interventions in girls’ education, aim to address the factors driving dropout rates and improve school attendance.
UNICEF is focusing on adolescents at risk of dropping out or not completing secondary education, particularly in Southwestern Nigeria where enrollment is high but retention and completion rates are low. The meeting gathers regional education officials to review and adapt successful intervention models. UNICEF advocates for increased funding and better data to support secondary education improvements. Their work centers on strengthening education systems, expanding access, and creating quality learning opportunities for children and adolescents.
UNICEF Education Specialist Babangana Aminu urged the government and education stakeholders to focus on fundamental literacy, numeracy, and transferable skills to address ongoing educational challenges. Despite 80% school enrollment in the Southwest and high completion rates of 92% for primary and 85% for secondary education, retention remains a concern. The workshop led by UNICEF Programme Officer Muhammed Okorie aimed to develop tailored models for each state to enhance retention and ensure educational completion.
The meeting focused on ensuring that children not only receive education but also quality education that fosters transformative growth. It emphasized the importance of fulfilling every child’s right to education. Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Saliu Adelabu, noted significant improvements in reducing out-of-school children, citing recent World Bank and UNICEF data. However, the influx of children from northern Nigeria presents security challenges. The state government is addressing this by working to reintegrate these children into formal education and providing vocational training for those who cannot be integrated into the traditional education system.
UNICEF is focusing on three key areas to improve secondary education:
- System Strengthening: Emphasizing the need for credible data to advocate effectively and support states in creating plans and policies for better education transitions and completions.
- Access: Collaborating with community leaders to address both direct and indirect barriers to schooling, and ensuring adherence to the Nigerian constitution’s mandate for free and compulsory secondary education.
- Quality Learning: Scaling up foundational literacy and numeracy programs to ensure children receive effective education in a conducive learning environment.
Image Source:https://guardian.ng/
