\nThe UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, disclosed this in a statement while commemorating the International Day of Education.<\/p>\n
Hawkins commended the Nigerian government for the pledge to increase the annual domestic education expenditure in the country by 50 per cent over the next two years, and by 100 per cent by 2025.<\/p><\/div>\n
\nHe noted that millions of Nigerian children have never set foot in a classroom as he lamented the crisis in the education sector amid COVID-19 concerns.<\/p>\n
The statement read in part, \u201cIn Nigeria\u2019s N17tn 2022 budget signed into law, 7.2 per cent is allocated to the education sector. This is a step forward \u2013 an increase from 5.7 per cent allocated for 2021 \u2013 though there is still a long way to go to reach the internationally recommended benchmark that countries spend 15-20 per cent of their national budgets on education.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Nigerian Government has committed to increasing funding for education, which is a very important step \u2013 far too many Nigerian children today are not in the classroom \u2013 and for those who are, far too many are not getting a solid education that can translate into good prospects for their futures.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria, which is the highest rate in the world. The figure indicates that one-third of Nigerian children are not in school, and one in five out-of-school children in the world is a Nigerian.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to UNICEF, while the education crisis in Nigeria is affecting children across the country, some children are more likely to be affected than others:: girls, children with disabilities, children from the poorest households, in street situations, or affected by displacement or emergencies, and children in geographically distant areas are all disproportionately affected by the education crisis.<\/p>\n
The statement reads further, \u201cMillions of Nigerian children have never set foot in a classroom \u2013 and this is a travesty. Perhaps, equally tragic is the high number of children who make it into a classroom, but never make the transition from primary school to secondary school \u2013 thereby cutting off their chances for a secure future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is estimated that 35 per cent of Nigerian children who attend primary school do not go on to attend secondary school. Half of all Nigerian children did not attend secondary school in 2021. As we celebrate the International Day of Education today amid concerns in much of the world about the impact of COVID-19 on education, we must take a close look at what is happening to our children in Nigeria, and the opportunities they are missing out on when they lack education.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to look towards communities \u2013 leaders, parents, teachers and caregivers \u2013 and together, find the best strategies to ensure that all children enrol into school, have access to continuous learning and ensure they emerge with quality skills that equip them for a prosperous future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkins stated that there was a need to ensure that girls have access to learning to enable them to receive an education that would begin to address issues of gender inequality.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll girls have much to offer to find solutions to Nigeria\u2019s challenges \u2013 and we have to nurture their creativity and innovation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He continued, \u201cWe also need to ensure that children are safe when they are in school \u2013 no child should be afraid to enter a classroom \u2013 afraid their school might be attacked or that they will be kidnapped. And no parent should fear sending their children to school.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2021, there were 25 attacks on schools. 1,440 children were abducted, and 16 children killed. In March 2021, no fewer than 618 schools were closed in six northern states (Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Niger, and Yobe) over the fear of attack and abduction of pupils and members of staff. The closure of schools in these states significantly contributed to learning losses for over two months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkins stated that Nigeria\u2019s education system could be transformed through adequate funding to ensure safety in schools, the application of gender-responsive policies, including recruitment of female teachers and improved facilities for girls; the creation of multiple and flexible learning pathways for students, such as digital and transferable skills learning; the integration of foundational numeracy and literacy in Qur\u2019anic schools; and teacher training in the latest methodologies.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll Nigerian children deserve a fighting chance \u2013 no matter who they are or where they are. And this must include education. It is not only their right \u2013 it is the smartest and best way to secure the future of Nigeria as a whole,\u201d he added.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has said that 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria, which is the highest rate in the world. The UNICEF Representative in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":82220,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
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