The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede, has emphasized the need for collaborations among stakeholders to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria. He made this call at the second annual public lecture and distribution of textbooks and learning materials to indigent children organized by the Promoting Education for Indigent Children Foundation (PEFIC). The event aimed to address the menace of out-of-school children and find remedies.
Ifede, represented by the Director of Academic and School Services, Mrs Kehinde Anifowose, commended PEFIC for supporting indigent children through educational materials. He urged beneficiaries to utilize the resources effectively and strive for academic excellence. Ifede also appealed to individuals, corporate organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts to improve access to education. This initiative seeks to ensure every child has access to quality education, regardless of socio-economic background.
Professor Opeyemi Shoaga from Olabisi Onabanjo University highlighted the need for basic educational necessities, including school uniforms and learning materials. She stressed that government alone cannot provide the required resources, emphasizing the importance of support from other stakeholders. Shoaga identified factors contributing to the out-of-school children crisis, including ignorance, insecurity, cultural and traditional beliefs, gender inequality, and family breakdown.
Shoaga called on governments to strengthen the implementation of free and compulsory basic education, ensuring more children have access to schooling. She emphasized that addressing the out-of-school children crisis requires collective efforts from governments, NGOs, and individuals. The professor's presentation underscored the complexity of the issue and the need for multi-faceted solutions.
Alhaji Lateef Oridota, convener and Chairman of PEFIC's Management Committee, appealed to philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to support the foundation's objectives. He assured donors that contributions would be properly accounted for, promoting transparency and accountability. Oridota's appeal aimed to garner support for the foundation's mission to provide educational resources to indigent children.
Noheem Bello, a beneficiary from NUD Primary School, expressed gratitude to PEFIC for the educational materials. He pledged to use the resources judiciously, demonstrating the positive impact of the foundation's initiative. The distribution of textbooks and learning materials is a step towards bridging the educational gap for indigent children in Ogun State.
The Ogun SUBEB chairman's advocacy for partnerships highlights the need for collaborative efforts to address the out-of-school children crisis in Nigeria. With stakeholders working together, it is possible to ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of socio-economic background. The initiative by PEFIC and the support from SUBEB demonstrate a commitment to improving education in Nigeria.
Key points
- Ogun SUBEB chairman Evang. Olalekan Ifede calls for partnerships to address out-of-school children crisis.
- Professor Opeyemi Shoaga emphasizes the need for basic educational necessities and collective efforts to address the crisis.
- PEFIC's initiative distributes educational materials to indigent children, promoting access to quality education.
