From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
Minister of Education, Alhaji Adam Adamu, yesterday said rising numbers of out-of-school children in the country was unacceptable and must be tackled head on by all stakeholders.
Adamu disclosed this at the 65th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting in Jalingo with the theme: “Eradicating out-of -school children phenomenon: A tool for the achievement of education 2030 agenda.”
Hesaid the situation had become more worrisome going by United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) survey that Nigeria ranks top among countries with out-of-school children.
Adamu said the most frightening aspect was that one out of every five out-of- school children in the world was a Nigerian, thus pegging the figure at about 10. 1 million.
“Coincidentally, the recent occurrences in the country’s education system such as kidnappings of pupils/students, increased insurgence and general insecurity in schools have added to some of the factors responsible for this. Other fundamental factors are cultural and religious beliefs, poverty and political will. For the government and stakeholders to record a landmark achievement, the education a system would require a total overhaul in provision of a safe and secured environment for learners and teachers among others,” he said.
The minister who was represented by Chukwuemeka Nwajiwuba, minister of state for education, said the Federal Government had launched Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) being piloted in 17 states of the federation to tackle the menace.
Hesaid government was also establishing more schools and doing every- thing to improve the welfare of teachers among other measures to reverse the ugly trend.
Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku, who also expressed worry over the rising figures of out-of-school children called on Nigerians to join hands with the Ministry of Education to tackle the situation.
Ishaku, represented by his deputy, Haruna Manu, said his administration had given priority to education by employing 3,000 teachers, which he noted had since changed the performance of students in examinations for the better.