The Benue State Government has embarked on a significant initiative to compile data on out-of-school children as part of its efforts to improve child protection and increase access to education. This move was announced by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, during a visit to the management of the modern market in Makurdi. The exercise aims to gather accurate information that will enable the government to design targeted interventions to enhance the welfare of these children and ensure they have access to education.
The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Child Development in the ministry, Mrs. Janet Daagba, urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the state government's free Basic one to nine education policy. She encouraged them to discourage children from engaging in street hawking during school hours, emphasizing the importance of education for the children. According to Mrs. Daagba, having accurate data on out-of-school children will help the ministry develop appropriate interventions to improve their welfare and educational outcomes.
The Manager of the modern market, Mr. Terhumba Akpelan, received the team from the ministry and pledged the support of the market management to ensure the success of the exercise. This collaboration is crucial as it will help in reaching out to children who are engaged in street hawking and other informal activities, thereby encouraging them to enroll in school. The market management's support is seen as a positive step towards achieving the government's goal of reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
The exercise is expected to provide relevant information for interventions aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving child welfare across Benue State. By gathering this data, the government will be able to identify areas with the highest number of out-of-school children and develop targeted programs to address the issue. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance education and child welfare in the state.
One of the children, Favour Ogbaji, expressed happiness over the initiative, highlighting the positive impact it could have on her life and the lives of her peers. The child's reaction reflects the enthusiasm and hope that this initiative has generated among the children and their communities. It also underscores the need for such interventions to provide opportunities for children to access education and improve their socio-economic prospects.
The Benue State government's initiative to compile data on out-of-school children is a significant step towards addressing the issue of out-of-school children in the state. This move demonstrates the government's commitment to improving education and child welfare, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of many children in Benue State. The data collected will be crucial in designing and implementing effective interventions to support these children.
The compilation of data on out-of-school children in Benue State is also seen as a way to enhance the state's education sector. By identifying and addressing the barriers to education, the government can work towards achieving the goal of universal basic education. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the government, market management, and other stakeholders, all working together to ensure that children in Benue State have access to quality education.
Key points
- The Benue State government has started compiling data on out-of-school children to design targeted interventions and improve access to education.
- The initiative aims to provide accurate data for interventions to reduce the number of out-of-school children and enhance child welfare.
- The exercise has garnered support from market management and other stakeholders in the state.
