Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The 65th National Council of Education (NCE) meeting held in Jalingo, Taraba State capital seat to delegate measures to eradicate out-of-school children phenomenon and returning over 13.5 millions children back to school.
The meeting which was held on Thursday at Camp-View event centers in Jalingo has in attendance The Taraba State Deputy Governor, Federal Minister of Education, Minister of Women affairs, Minister of state Education, Permanent secretaries and other stakeholders.
The Minister of Education represented by Hon Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Minister of state Education said, the Federal Government have already put in place the basic measures to eradicate out-of-school children in the country.
Adamu asserts that ” education plays a key role in achieving the needed development in Nigeria. The challenge of lack of education has enormous implications for the educational system in Nigeria. Coupling with insecurities in the country, many children absent themselves from going to school”.
According to the Minister the federal government has overhaul the provision of safe environment for learners and teachers, availability of professional teachers, proximity of school to pupils/students, strong political will on the part of government to invest in education and provision of adequate funding mechanism to attract out of school children back to school.
Adamu further stress that the Federal Government is improving access to qualify basic and post basic education delivery, teachers qualify and motivation, strengthening of tertiary education, vocational and technical education program and education emergency.
In their different remarks the Federal Minister of Women affairs and The Chairman National Association of Primary/Secondary School proprietor Ajibade Augustine said the children represent the the future of the country, therefore, every hand most be on deck to eradicate out-of-school children menace and get the children back to school.
According to them certain measures like early marriage, cultism, ignorance of parents, kidnaping etc are responsible for children dropping out school.
