Stakeholders, educationists, and students in Yobe State have expressed appreciation for Governor Mai Mala Buni's administration for introducing day secondary schools for girls. This initiative has provided an opportunity for girls to continue their education without having to leave their families. The students, who spoke in an interview, said the establishment of these schools has addressed a significant challenge faced by girls who completed their Junior Secondary School education but could not proceed to senior secondary school due to parental concerns.
Before the establishment of senior day secondary schools by the Buni administration, some girls were forced to discontinue their education after completing their JSS classes, with early marriage becoming a viable option. A student from Government Day Girls Secondary School in Damaturu, Amina Muhammad, said the absence of suitable day secondary schools had previously left many girls in a difficult situation. Many would have gotten married because their parents could not allow them to attend boarding schools.
The establishment of day secondary schools has provided an alternative for girls whose parents want them to remain at home while pursuing their education. According to Amina Muhammad, this arrangement has made it possible for students to combine schooling with their responsibilities at home. Another student, Maryam Ibrahim, noted that attending a day school means students can return home after classes and remain available to assist their parents with household responsibilities.
The students said the schools have created an avenue for girls to progress to senior secondary education without having to relocate or depend on boarding-school arrangements. Mohammed Isa, a teacher at Government Day Secondary School, Ngelzarma, said the establishment of these schools has helped reduce the number of out-of-school children. More children now have access to education, he added.
Mohammed Mato, a civil servant, said the establishment of girls' day schools has reduced the burden of paying private school fees. The initiative has made education more accessible and affordable, he noted. The Buni administration established six government girls' day secondary schools across Yobe State as part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and address the challenge of early marriage.
The establishment of these schools provides girls who have completed junior secondary education with access to senior secondary education within a day-school arrangement. This development has been praised by stakeholders, who see it as a step towards increasing access to education and reducing early marriage rates among girls in the state.
Overall, the introduction of day secondary schools for girls in Yobe State has been seen as a positive development, providing girls with the opportunity to continue their education while also contributing to their families. The initiative is expected to have a long-term impact on the education sector in the state and the well-being of girls.
Key points
- Governor Mai Mala Buni's administration established six government girls' day secondary schools across Yobe State.
- The initiative aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children and address the challenge of early marriage.
- The schools provide girls with access to senior secondary education within a day-school arrangement.
