As a concerned citizen of Nigeria and advocate for international education, I am writing this letter with an earnest plea for a reevaluation of current strategies and a call for immediate action to address the out-of-school children crisis in Nigeria.
While numerous initiatives have been implemented over the years by dedicated organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, USAID, and the World Bank, the results have been far from satisfactory, especially in northern Nigeria where the burden is most pronounced.
The federal government, in collaboration with various international development partners, including UNICEF, UNESCO, USAID, and World Bank, has undertaken significant efforts, exemplified by the Education for Change Ministerial Strategic Plan 2018-2022.
Unfortunately, the prevailing reality indicates that these efforts have fallen short of achieving the Education for All (EFA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for the country.
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The number of out-school children has persistently increased with Nigeria among the countries with high rate of out-of-school children globally. This is casting doubt on the effectiveness of the implemented projects and programmes.
As I acknowledge the recent announcement by the Minister of Education on the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Education in Nigeria for 2024-2027, I urge a critical examination of the past failures to ensure a more successful trajectory this time. It is evident that the current approach lacks the necessary depth and inclusivity required to tackle the various challenges contributing to the out-of-school children crisis Nigeria.
In my recommendation for a transformative shift, I propose a strategy that involves direct collaboration with local education authorities, communities, and parents. This approach seeks to mitigate corruption in the implementation process, a significant factor hindering the success of educational initiatives in the country.
By fostering grassroots connections, we can ensure that interventions are tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by local communities.
A pivotal aspect of this revised strategy should be a concerted effort to make education truly free and compulsory at all levels.
While commendable strides have been made, the reality is that many families, especially those grappling with poverty, still bear the burden of school supplies, uniforms, textbooks, and transitional examination fees. It is imperative that the international development partners work hand in hand with the federal government to eliminate these barriers and make quality education accessible to all.
Transitional examinations, such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, should be made free and accessible for all Nigerian students. If necessary, they should remain so.
The economic constraints that these examinations pose often force families to make the necessary decision to withdraw their children from school. Removing this financial burden is essential for the attainment of Education for All and the SDGs.
Furthermore, in this age of technology, I advocate for the digitalization of the education system. Each local education authority (LEA) or public primary and secondary school should have its own website, and social media presence.
This will provide a platform to showcase their activities and engage with philanthropic organisations willing to contribute to the educational advancement of local communities. This approach not only fosters transparency but also opens avenues for external support.
Finally, I implore UNICEF, UNESCO, USAID and the World Bank to pivot from traditional methodologies and actively engage with local communities to address the root causes of the out-of-school children crisis.
The time for change is now, and I call upon you to lead the way in crafting innovative, community-driven solutions that will pave the path for a brighter and more educated future for Nigeria.
Tijjani Mukaddas wrote from Vanderbilt University, USA
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