By Felix Khanoba
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, has called for robust collaboration between governments at all levels and the organised private sector to address the out-of-school children’s problem in the country.
The Minister, who made the call at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Basic Education Summit in Nigeria in Uyo, on Monday, said such collaboration would shore up enrollment in schools across the nation.
Sununu said the national target is to reduce the present out-of-school children’s number by at least a quota in the next two years.
According to the Minister, commitment and team work by stakeholders are critical elements needed to eradicate the problem.
A statement issued by Ben Bem Goong – Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, said the minister noted that inspite of the significant development strides in the country’s education sector, the large number of out-of-school children remains shocking and unacceptable.
Describing the theme of the Summit; “improving access to quality and inclusive education for all children in Nigeria towards achieving the sustenable development goal 4”, as apt and timely, the Minister noted that the challenges of the sector are not insurmountable, adding that determination, good thinking, planning, creative ideas, committment and team work will do the job.
While restating the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to creative policies and ideas that will take education in the country to enviable heights,
the minister said the Summit was designed to address current and emerging issues in the basic education, including poor enrolement, numeracy, security and safety of schools, among others.
In his keynote address to the summit, Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, said the country must return to the good old days where the necessary facilities for teaching and learning were provided for basic schools, including accommodation on school premises for teachers for effective supervision of school activities.
Governor Umo noted that the Summit marks a significant step towards revolutionalizing the landscape of basic education in Nigeria and ensure that stakeholders gain comprehensive insights in the sector.
