The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged the private sector to intervene in education to address the issue of out-of-school children. This appeal was made during a scholarship award ceremony organized by the Restore Hearts Foundation (RHF) in Kuje and Gwagwalada Area Councils, Abuja. According to UNICEF, approximately 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria.
Dr. Mohammed Sani Ladan, Director of the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB), represented by Olaniyan Olubisi Olayinka, emphasized the need for broader participation in tackling the number of children outside the classroom. She noted that the challenge extends beyond funding, citing inadequate furniture, poor school conditions, and socio-cultural barriers that prevent some children from attending school.
The Chief Operating Officer of RHF, Mr. Jerry Mataimaki, stated that the scholarship program, known as the Scholars Inclusion Fund (SIF), was designed to cover more than a single term. The fund covers two full academic sessions and examination fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The SIF program was launched in September, with 80 students from three selected public secondary schools in the FCT benefiting from the initiative. The program aims to support students who are at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints, not academic ability. Beneficiaries were carefully selected through RHF's criteria and in consultation with each school's management.
RHF's intervention began at Junior Secondary School (JSS) Gaube, Kuje, on September 11, followed by Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Kuje, on September 17, and Government Secondary School (GSS) Hajj Camp, Gwagwalada, on September 24. During the ceremony at GDSS, 100 desks and chairs were donated alongside the scholarships.
Mataimaki added that the scale of the problem is beyond what the government can handle alone. He emphasized that the private sector and NGOs have a crucial role to play in addressing the issue of out-of-school children. RHF's initiative aims to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder students' education.
The FCT Administration's call for private sector intervention and RHF's scholarship program highlight the need for collaborative efforts to address the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria. With 10.5 million children out of school, the government and private sector must work together to provide solutions and create opportunities for these children to access education.
Key points
- The FCT Administration has appealed to the private sector to intervene in education to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
- The Restore Hearts Foundation has awarded scholarships to 80 students in three selected public secondary schools in the FCT.
- The scholarship program covers two full academic sessions and examination fees for WAEC, NECO, and BECE.
