13.2million Out Of School Figure Calls For Urgent Attention

By Ajoke Babareke, Abuja

The Population of out of school Children in Nigeria and other African countries is a confirmation that African leaders has not shown sincere interest in the Education sector.

The Executive Director of African Students Education Support Initiative (ASESI), Mr. Chinonso Obasi made the observation in Abuja while reacting to the newly released figure if 13.2million Out Of School Children who currently reside in Nigeria.

Mr Obasi said it was time for Nigeria to put up a solid Foundation that will carry-on the Nigerian dream and a Nigeria that her citizens will be proud of.

He stressed that this can only be achieved through sincere investment and thorough supervision of the education sector. 

"This figure recently made known by the Universal Basic Education CoNigeria"n 13.2million is scary and it calls for urgent concern"

"Government at all levels must begin to encourage young people to go to school because governance cannot be smooth when majority of the followers are illiterates. The terrorist attacks, bad economic condition of the country, corruption underfunding/monitoring of the Education sector, lack of good governance and lack of good infrastructural development are some of the factors that contribute immensely to increasing out of school Children in Nigeria" he added.

The ASESI Cheif, called on State Government to do everything possible to ensure sincere implementation of policies that will put a check on out of school Children. 

Speaking on the 2018 World Teachers Day, said the theme of this year’s World Teachers day , “the Right To Education means the right to a qualified teacher”  came at a unique time  as Nigeria champions the right to educate out of school Children .

we must not also forget the right to get trained and qualified teachers. As the population of out of school Children in Nigeria and other African countries  is becoming scary the shortage of qualified and trained Teachers is also a thing of concern to our dear continent. 

The Executive Director of ASESI however call for Government to invest in training of teachers to enable them meet up witj the modern day realities. 

Obasi  attributed inability of graduates to get jobs to poor teaching skills by unprofessional teachers.