Foundation Inaugurates Programme to Tackle Irregular Migration Among School-aged Children 

Funmi Ogundare 

Temi Foundation for Women and Youth Development recently held a sensitisation programme on irregular migration by school-aged children and the presentation of ‘Ma Se’, an intervention aimed at educating and sensitising the communities on the ills of irregular migration using peer education theatre.

The community engagement and development approach held recently at the conference hall of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Osogbo was aimed at giving accurate information about migration and its alternatives.

The Director of School at Osun State Ministry of Education, Oyebola Adeoye, who was represented by an education officer, Mr Idowu Adekunle, explained that the intervention has the objective of curbing irregular migration among school-aged children, especially as it relates to the current rate of students dropping out of the final year to take their final exam outside the state and matured student writing external examination (WAEC and NECO).

The move, he noted, reduces the quality of education.

In her remarks, Olufunmi Olujide, the Coordinator of the Child Protection Network in Osun, thanked the organisation for the timely intervention, saying that the rate of child trafficking is on the increase in the state.

In his presentation, Mr. Okikijesu Adeyeye, the programme coordinator of the foundation,  highlighted the approach that MASE would deploy, which would include theatre for development, peer education, community dialogue, and engagement. The intervention will have a two-pronged, school-based and community-based approach to create awareness and sensitise Osun residents on irregular migration.