International Day of Education: Foundation Urges government to double efforts to tackle out-of-children challenge

A Lagos based Non Governmental Organisation, Alice Ajisafe Foundation (AAF) has admonished governments across levels in Nigeria to make heighten efforts to tackle the menace of Out-of-School Children in the country.

In a statement signed by the founder, Mr Lekan Ajisafe, the organisation made the call ahead of the 2024 global commemoration of the International Day of Education themed “Learning for Lasting Peace”.

Mr Ajisafe decried the humanitarian crisis that could result from the prolonged failure to tackle the growing number of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria, he urged the federal, state and local governments across the federation to devise actionable plans to ensure immediate reduction and lasting solution to the number of Out-of-School children in the country.

“This edition of the International Day of Education is significant for us because of the theme which recognizes the role of education in fostering sustainable development and peace. Any society that fails to invest in children will be breeding human resources for criminal elements.

“According to UNICEF, Nigeria accounts for 15% of the global data for Out-of-School Children.
One in three children are Out-of-School in Nigeria. At least 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary school (JSS) level1. While 12.4 million children never attended school and 5.9 million left school early. The statistics are appalling and the trend needs to be reversed as soon as possible.

“To achieve this, the government across the three levels need to map decisive action plans to ensure that these kids are in school and receive necessary basic education, while private organisations need to pool resources together and partner with the government to achieve significant results,” Ajisafe was quoted to have said.

Corroborating Ajisafe’s position, development expert and member of board of trustees of Alice Ajisafe Foundation, Hon Lekan Fatodu, urged the government to enforce the provisions of the Universal Basic Education Act which mandates the government to cater for the compulsory education of children between the ages of 6 and 15.

“Education has been pivotal to the growth of developed and emerging countries, as such, Nigeria cannot afford to treat the Out-of-School Children challenge with levity. Thankfully, the Universal Basic Education already provides a template for addressing this challenge, we are therefore calling on governments across the federation to implement the provisions of the act efficiently,” he stated.

Fatodu disclosed that Alice Ajisafe Foundation is poised to embark on a three-pronged approach to addressing the mammoth challenge namely: policy advisory, advocacy and empowerment. He observed that the foundation will continue to engage with various government agencies and non governmental organisations to find lasting solutions to the issue of Out-of-School.

“To mark this year’s celebration, we embarked on sensitization outreaches in three strategic locations in Lagos State with high concentration of Out of School Children, namely Ifako Ijaiye, Bariga and Mushin. We provided them with schooling materials and financial support where necessary,” Fatodu disclosed.

Reacting to the outreach, Executive Chairman of Ifako-Ijaye Local Government, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat thanked Alice Ajisafe Foundation for their gesture. “I want to sincerely convey my appreciation to Alice Ajisafe Foundation for choosing to carry out their impactful outreach in this local government, it signifies the importance of public-private partnerships in dealing with social issues. We remain committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders in this local government,” he said.

Alice Ajisafe Foundation is a not for profit organisation founded in 2022, with particular focus on Women, Education and Faith. Since it’s establishment, the foundation has provided palliatives and scholarships to indigent widows and students.