UNICEF Report Highlights Nigeria’s Status: Highest Number Of Out-Of-School Children Globally

UNICEF Report Highlights Nigeria’s Status: Highest Number Of Out-Of-School Children Globally....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

UNICEF Raises Alarm Over Surging Out-of-School Children in Nigeria, Reaching a Record 18.3 Million

In a recent development, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has voiced deep concerns regarding the escalating number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which has now soared to an unprecedented 18.3 million, marking the highest globally. This concerning revelation was disclosed by Dr. Tushar Rane, Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, during a Regional Stakeholder Engagement Meeting held in Gombe, Nigeria.

The focus of the meeting was centered on Out-of-School Children and the implementation of Retention, Transition, and Completion Models, primarily targeting the states of Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa.

Dr. Rane emphasized that only 63% of primary school-aged children in these states attend school regularly, with a mere 84% transitioning to junior secondary education after completing primary school.

The disclosed statistics shed light on the complex challenges contributing to this alarming situation, including inadequate evidence-based policies, insufficient budget allocations, a shortage of teachers and educational facilities, substandard infrastructure, prevailing cultural norms, and broader health and safety concerns. Furthermore, the detrimental impact of child labor on school attendance was underscored as a significant contributing factor.

In response to these critical issues, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission, is ramping up efforts to implement the “National Framework of Action to Reduce the Number of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria” and the “Retention, Transition, and Completion Model.” These initiatives aim to tackle the underlying causes of educational neglect and enhance school enrollment and completion rates nationwide.

Dr. Rane expressed optimism, stating, “I envisage that after this meeting, we will have clear, targeted, and state-specific strategies that will further ensure that we reduce the rate of out-of-school children and enhance retention, transition, and completion.”

The two-day engagement session endeavors to devise effective models not only to mitigate the number of out-of-school children but also to bolster the retention, transition, and successful completion of adolescents in secondary education.

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