High number of out-of-school children worries minister

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MINISTER of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, has said that one of the greatest challenges of the nation's education sector is the high number of children excluded from the school system.

The minister disclosed this at the Education for All (EFA) forum held in Abuja for states and the FCT, adding that the  people, usually referred to as the educationally marginalised, include the girl-child and boy drop-outs; the almajiris, the nomads, the physically-challenged, illiterate youths and adults.

She said that others in this group are learners in overpopulated, overcrowded and conflict affected zones.

She explained that in order to address the challenges of the marginalised in education, the Federal Government re-introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in 1999 as policy framework with a view to rectify distortions in basic education.

She added that UBE was conceived to embrace formal education up to age 15, as well as adult and non-formal so as to offer ample opportunity for every individual to be educated.

On efforts by the government to curb illiteracy, the minister said the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education was created to concentrate its programmes at providing education to the marginalised group.

However, the minister said that despite the efforts of government, the number of out-of-school children continue to grow, which has marred the progress made towards the inclusion of the marginalised in education.

She observed that the target date to achieve Education for All was only four years away, adding that the issue of providing education for all cannot be left in the hands of the Federal Government alone.

She therefore, called on state governments to expedite action in meeting the needs of the marginalised in their domains, while urging traditional institutions, individuals and development partners to join hands in ensuring that the country meets EFA goals by 2015.

 

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[MyInfoStride]

It is really nice to hear that she feels the challenges of less-privileged Nigerian children but that is not enough. Action is required!