United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), despite the diverse importance of education, and though primary education is officially free and compulsory, about 10.5 million of the country’s children aged 5-14 years are not in school.
UNICEF further lamented that “Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education.’
According to UNICEF, ‘In the North of the country, the picture is even bleaker, with a net attendance rate of 53 percent. Getting out-of-school children back into education poses a massive challenge.’
It then declared that every child in Nigeria has a right to learn irrespective of where he or she resides and no matter the situation of the environment.
The declaration was made by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria office, as contained in a statement released to Journalists in Bauchi Field Office.
UNICEF stressed that Pre-primary education enables children to contribute to the prosperities of nations, to be confident, and to be empowered to trudge through life.
It further stressed that Educated children are more conscious of their rights as citizens, making them less likely victims of abuse and violations.
In order to bring attention to the issue of Out of School children (OOSC) in Bauchi state, the UNICEF Bauchi field office is organizing a media dialogue and a field trip to see some of the interventions it has made in the Sector.
During the exercise, Monday, July 24, 2023, will be for a Media field trip to Alkaleri LGA from Bauchi to interact with out-of-school children, members of relevant community structures, and parents/guardians.
While on Tuesday, 25 July 2023, the team will travel to Misau LGA, and on Wednesday, 26 July 2023, hold an In-house media dialogue in Chartwell Hotel, Misau; just as on Thursday, 27 July 2023, there will be another Field trip to interact with out of school children who have returned to schools, thanks to initiatives by Government and UNICEF.