Gov Ishaku identifies major causes of out-of school children

EMMANUEL AWARI, Jalingo

Governor Darius Ishaku has attributed the major causes of out-of-school children to terrorism, kidnappings, armed robbery, thuggery and prostitutions, among others, reiterating his administration’s commitment in ensuring that children roaming the streets are back to school.

He stated this during the opening of the 65th Meeting of the National Council on Education (NEC) holding on Jalingo.

The Governor represented by his Deputy, Haruna Manu, said: “The Theme for the 2021 meeting of the National Council on Education which is “Eradicating Out-of-School Children Phenomenon: A tool for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda” is appropriate and relevant to the goal of my administration on Education.

 “It is troubling that Nigeria has one in every five out-of-school children in the world, and 45 percent of out-of-school children in West Africa. These figures are alarming for a country that prides itself on being Africa’s largest economy and the continent’s giant. This administration as well as key stakeholders in education, are working hard to change this narrative”.

According to him, the UNICEF statistics show that approximately 10.5 million Nigerian children are not enrolled in school, although basic education is officially free and compulsory. Terrorism, communal strife, kidnapping, armed robbery, thuggery, and prostitution, among other things, contribute to Nigeria’s high number of out-of-school children.

He said the State Government has taken deliberate steps to reverse this unfortunate trend by investing heavily in both human and infrastructural development in the education sector.

“We are also continuing to engage traditional rulers, religious leaders, and stakeholders in actively mobilizing their followers to participate in this critical programme.

He added that non-formal learning centers are already operational, with a total enrollment of 24,150 children and 650 facilitators.

“The literacy programme included 1004 schools with a total of 64,261 students enrolled.

“Furthermore, when this administration assumed office in 2015, there were 265 secondary schools, but the number has now increased to 305 due to increased enrollment.

“We implemented a monthly feeding subvention for the Exchange Programme Colleges, which are the Government Comprehensive Secondary School in Jalingo and the Marmara Government Girls’ Secondary School in Wukari

He disclose that his administration has been paying the West African Examination Council (WAEC) registration fee for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 for SS3 sets of students from Special Education Centre, Mutum-Biyu, Special School for the Blind at Garbabi, and students from the two exchange schools.

“The State Government also donated an Office block and a 406 Peugeot Wagon Vehicle for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to facilitate its operations within the State.

“We have consistently met our counterpart fund obligations to UNICEF and the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) to access funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the 2015 matching grant.

He pointed out that under his administration, Taraba State students performed better in WAEC due to our commitment to raising educational standards.

“For example, in 2016, they obtained 67.3 percent, 61.909 per cent in 2017, 75.03 per cent in 2018, and 84.74 per cent in 2019. The percentage of students scoring in five or more subjects has risen from a low of 46 percent in 2015 when this administration took office.

He said that to enhance quality teaching in schools, the State Government recruited 3,000 Rescue Teachers for over 300 public secondary schools spread out across the state which coexist with the private schools founded by individuals and organizations.

“We also renovated 2,211 blocks of secondary and primary school classrooms, constructed 999 blocks of classrooms, dug 25 boreholes, purchased 8,010 plastic furniture and 59,884 sets of furniture across the State in 2018.

Earlier, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Represented by the Minister of State Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said that the Federal Government is not relenting in its efforts to right the wrongs that have been identified so as to return the Sector to global competitive standard.

“One of the most recent interventions by Government to reposition the Educational sector in eradicating Out of School Children phenomenon is the establishment of Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in Seventeen pilot States of the Federation.

He said that  the outcome of the program have been tremendously successful, adding that the number of Out of School Children have reduced from 10.1 million in 2019 to 6.9 million in 2020 and that it has also enriched access to quality basic Education.

He pointed out that the Government has engage the National Association of Proprietors  and owners in Nigeria (NAPSON) and that the Association has successfully taken over 1million Out of School Children off the streets by requesting each Private School to sponsor at least five children.

“The role of teachers in addressing out of school children phenomenon is very paramount. An ill motivated teacher has little or nothing to children.

He disclosed that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has taken steps to motivate Teachers by approving allowances for them in hard to reach areas.

“Government recently reviewed the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years while year of service is from 35 to 40 years to encourage more graduates to join the teaching Profession.

He further disclose that the Government has put in place a number of Professional Examinations which include, Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE), Professional Qualifying Examination Integrated (PQEI), online examination for prospective Diaspora Teachers.

In his remarks, the Taraba State Commissioner Ministry of Tertiary Education, Edward Gidion Baraya, said the State Government has prioritized education in the programme and interventions by the State Government to improve the quality and standard of teaching and learning in schools.

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