Minister laments increasing number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria

The Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, on Monday, lamented the increasing number of out-of-school children (OOSC) in Northern Nigeria. The Minister at the Bauchi State 2023 Education Summit at Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Hajj Camp in Bauchi, Sununu, on Monday declared that the increasing out-of-school children population in the north is “unacceptable” and “disheartening.”

According to the minister, “The rising figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria and most particularly in the northern part of Nigeria is not only unacceptable but disheartening.

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“There must be concerted efforts to address and reverse the trend of this time-bomb phenomenon. At the federal level, the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-Schoo Children is set to commence activities.

“The Commission will address issues and develop mechanisms for the integration of Tsanga/Madarasa schools to be integrated into basic education.”

The minister emphasised the need for all stakeholders to join forces in addressing out-of-school children syndrome, poor teacher quality, inadequate learning environments, gender inequality, and discrimination.
Sununu had stated that “it is pertinent to mention at this juncture that the challenges in the education sector are enormous, but we are all equal to the task.

“Collective efforts by all stakeholders will defeat the challenges of Out-of-School Children syndrome; poor teacher quality, unconducive teaching, and learning environment; gender inequality and discrimination; poor data generation, utilization and management issues, inadequate infrastructure in our schools and the inclusion of Nigeria on the list of world learning poverty countries.”

The minister asserted: “education is the key to sustainable development and essential for unlocking a better future for all children.

“It is the foundation on which they can build their lives and contribute to the development of their state and society.”

He maintained: “Our education system must be strengthened to produce patriotic citizens with broad knowledge, good character, and competence in skills to compete and fit into the global space.”