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By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi
It has been declared that every child in Nigeria has a right to learn irrespective of where he or she is residing and no matter the situation of the environment.
The declaration was made by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria office as contained in a statement released to journalists in Bauchi Field Office.
UNICEF stressed that pre-primary education enables children to contribute to the prosperities of nations, to be confident and to be empowered to trudge through life.
It further stressed the educated children are more conscious of their rights as citizens, making them less likely victims of abuse and violations.
UNICEF however lamented that, despite the diverse importance of education, and though primary education is officially free and compulsory, about 10.5 million of the country’s children aged 5-14 years are not in school.
“Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education,” It further lamented.
According to UNICEF through its Communication Officer, Opeyemi Olagunju, “In the North of the country, the picture is even bleaker, with a net attendance rate of 53 percent. Getting out-of-school children back into education poses a massive challenge.”
In order to bring attention to the issue of Out of School children (OOSC) in Bauchi state, UNICEF Bauchi field office is organizing a media dialogue and field trip to see some of the interventions it has made in the Sector.
During the exercise, Monday July 24 2023 will be for media field trip to Alkaleri Local Government Area in Bauchi, to interact with out of school children, members of relevant community structures, parents/guardians.
While on Tuesday, 25 July 2023, the team will travel to Misau Local Government Area and on Wednesday, 26 July 2023, hold an In-house media dialogue in Chartwell Hotel, Misau; just as on Thursday 27 July 2023, there will be another Field trip to interact with out of school children who have returned to schools, thanks to initiatives by Government and UNICEF.
