Number of out of school children poses threat to basic education – Wike
The Supervising Minister for education, Barrister Nyeson Wike has lamented that the occurrence of large number of out of school children has posed a challenge to the nation’s hope for the attainment of higher levels of under utilization of basic education.
The minister disclosed this weekend at the ceremony for the construction of the UBE special vocational school in Evwereni, Delta State, according to a statement from the Universal Basic Education Commission, signed by the commission’s public relation officer, Mr. David E. Apeh.
“Without any doubt, the incidence of a large number of out of school children in our country has posed a challenge to our quest for the attainment of higher levels of under utilization of basic education,” the minister said.
He described education as a veritable tool for fighting against poverty, diseases and various socio-cultural and political challenges.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Macjohn Nwobiala, the minister said efforts have been made to ensure inclusiveness in UBE delivery through priority interventions which targets segments of Nigeria’s school-age population.
He said even though significant progress has been made in this respect, a large proposition of the school aged population is still out of school.
The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Alhaji (Dr) Dikko Suleiman said FG through the commission and in partnership with the national implementation and monitoring committee on the integration of out of school boys in the South-East and South-South States is establishing a UBE special vocational school in each of the 11 states of the zones.
Sulaiman said the objective of providing such schools is to ensure that the challenge of functionality of education for segment of the population that is vocationally minded is properly addressed.