Shettima calls for collective action on out-of-school children

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday warned about the dangers of out-of-school children in the country.

Shettima, who spoke at the Nigeria Governor’s Forum International Conference on Girl Child Education in Abuja, stressed that out-of-school children pose a threat to their peers and the country as a whole.

Shettima’s warning is backed by alarming statistics on out-of-school children in Nigeria.

According to the latest multiple indicator cluster survey, 25.6% of primary school-age children and 29.6% of secondary school-age children are out of school.

This translates to over 60% of primary school-age children in states like Kebbi, Zamfara, and Bauchi not attending school.

To address this crisis, the Vice President called for a concerted, multi-sectoral approach involving the Federal Government, states, local governments, civil society, and international partners.

He emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocation and sustained advocacy to reduce the incidence of out-of-school children.

Key Strategies:

– Increase Education Financing: Shettima highlighted the significant increase in education expenditure, with states committing N2.4 trillion and the federal government allocating N2.2 trillion in 2024.

READ ALSO: Shettima wraps up UNGA 79 visit, returns to Nigeria

– Improve Education Quality: He stressed the importance of improving education quality, increasing years of schooling, and ensuring no child is left vulnerable or out of school.
– Address Regional Barriers: Shettima emphasized the need for specific action plans to address unique regional needs and barriers.

The National Economic Council has set ambitious goals to guarantee the future of the girl child through education, health, nutrition, and employability initiatives.

Shettima reiterated the federal government’s commitment to achieving a 0.6 score on the World Bank’s human capital index.

He said: “We cannot afford to turn away from this reality… The issue of girl child education is for every nation, but in our part of the world, her vulnerability is especially pronounced.”

His call to action underscores the urgent need for collective action to address Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis and secure a brighter future for its children.

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