Education Minister expresses concern over out-of-school children, calls for urgent action

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, has voiced deep concern about the escalating number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region. Describing the situation as disheartening and unacceptable, the minister highlighted the imperative for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to address the challenges plaguing the nation’s education sector.

Speaking at the 2023 Bauchi Education Summit with the theme “Improving Access and Quality of Education in Bauchi State,” Dr Sununu emphasized that a failure in education equates to the failure of the entire nation. He stressed the urgency of concerted efforts to reverse the alarming trend of out-of-school children, particularly in the northern part of the country.

The minister expressed optimism about the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, anticipating that it would foster better collaboration and synergy to address the issues faced by out-of-school children. He highlighted the commission’s goal to integrate Tsangaya/Madarasa schools into basic education and grant them the necessary recognition and status.

Dr Sununu commended the proactiveness of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in bridging gaps within the education sector. The governor’s initiatives, including teacher capacity building, recruitment of additional teachers, and infrastructure development, were recognized as positive steps.

Governor Bala Mohammed affirmed his commitment to quality education, citing a progressive increase in the state’s budgetary allocation to education. In the fiscal year 2023, the allocation to education reached approximately 16% of the total budget, reflecting a record high in recent years. The governor emphasized the significance of a well-funded education sector for the overall development of the state.