The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to education for the girl-child. Speaking during a live chat on TVC’s Luminah programme, she emphasized various government initiatives aimed at ensuring that no child is left behind in the country’s education system.
Addressing Girl-Child Education and Dropout Rates
Professor Ahmad acknowledged the challenges faced by many girls in continuing their education, noting that circumstances often force them to drop out. To address this, she explained that special classes are being provided for those unable to fit into the conventional school system. Additionally, efforts are being made to collect accurate data on school dropouts to replace outdated UNESCO statistics, given Nigeria’s vast and growing population.
FG’s Initiatives for Revamping Basic Education
The Minister outlined several strategies being implemented to bridge the educational gap, particularly for girls. These include:
Targeted Training for Mothers: Recognizing the role of mothers in children’s education, the government is focusing on empowering them to support their daughters’ schooling.
Mobile Schooling: A flexible system that incorporates both online and offline learning to reach children in remote areas.
Accelerated Curriculum for Older Girls: This program is designed for girls who, due to various reasons, have missed years of schooling and need to catch up.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has also introduced a virtual learning framework to further enhance access to education through digital platforms.
King’s College Incident and School Safety Measures
Addressing concerns about the recent tragic death of a female student at King’s College due to diphtheria, Professor Ahmad assured the public that the government has taken necessary measures to prevent future occurrences. She stated that the school has been expanded and renovated to improve learning conditions and that strict adherence to admission capacity would be enforced.
Education as a Collective Responsibility
Professor Ahmad concluded by emphasizing that education is a shared responsibility. She called on all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, community leaders, and private sector actors, to contribute their quota to ensuring quality education for all Nigerian children.
With these concerted efforts, the government aims to provide a more inclusive and equitable education system that caters to the needs of every Nigerian child, particularly girls, ensuring that they have the opportunity to learn and thrive.
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