Number of children not in school drops, but Nigeria still holds world record
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Fewer children now roam the streets instead of studying in school, according to Education Minister Adamu Adamu, who said the number slashed from 13 million to 6.9 million 2020.
He cited greater enrolment in the number of out-of-school (OOS) children in some hard hit states, including Kano, Kaduna, Kastina, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi; which he attributed to collaboration between the federal government and states.
According to the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adamu disclosed Abuja is working to further reduce the number, with sights also set on improving access to basic and secondary education.
“At my 2020 annual ministerial briefing, I informed the press that we have reduced the number of out-of-school children from an estimated 13 million to 6.9 million.
“May I inform you that we have further recorded an impressive enrolment in the last one year, especially in some of the frontline states – Kano, Kaduna, Kastina, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Rivers and Ebonyi States,” he said.
“This achievement has been largely due to the activities of the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) and the cooperation of state governments.”
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Increase in the number of Unity Schools
“Our only setback was that occasioned by COVID-19 and insecurity, birth rate and other factors,” Adamu added, per reporting by Nairametrics.
“Next is access to basic and secondary education. In order to expand and guarantee access to quality basic quality basic and secondary education, we have established additional six federal science and technical schools across the geo-political zones in the country bringing the number of unity colleges from 104 in 2015 to 110 now.
“And we have increased the total carrying capacity of our unity colleges within the period, that is from 2014 when it was 161, 274 to date when it is 177, 274.
“The process of establishing five new federal science and technical colleges has already commenced.”
Adamu reiterated Abuja policy is that every state should have at least one federal university, and three new federal polytechnics have been established to bring the total number to nine since 2020.
Nigeria holds world record in number of OOS children
The World Bank reported in June that Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world despite expansion in access to education.
“Although Nigeria has experienced a significant expansion in access to education during the last few decades, it still has the highest number of out-of-school (OOS) children in the world,” the World Bank said.
“Nigeria’s more than 11 million OOS children between the ages of 6 and 15 represent 1 in 12 OOS children globally. The OOS children phenomenon in Nigeria is multi-causal and will require a combination of interventions.
“On the demand side, reducing the cost of education by eliminating school fees, providing cash transfers, and shifting socio-cultural norms that prevent school enrollment are critical steps.”