Nigeria: Statistics on out-of-school children still alarming
In Nigeria, the issue of out-of-school children remains a significant challenge, despite efforts to improve access to education. According to recent statistics, millions of children in Nigeria are still out of school, with many of them coming from marginalised communities and rural areas across the country.
While the crisis persists, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for action to address the menace, speaking during a regional stakeholder’s meeting on out-of-school children held in Gombe, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Tushar Rane, highlighted the gravity of the situation. He stated that the statistics are alarming.
According to him, an estimated 10.2 million primary school children and an additional 8.1 million junior secondary school students are out of school. This saddles Nigeria with the dubious distinction of having the highest number of out-of-school children worldwide.
He said the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2021 reveals that only 84 percent of children transition to junior secondary education after completing primary school. Of the 5.9 million children who start Primary Grade 1 each year, less than half make it to Junior Secondary Grade 3.
“The past decade has seen an increase in dropout rates across all genders at the primary level, particularly in the northern regions. The dropout rate has risen from 1% in 2011 to 5% in 2021. This trend is evident across wealth quintiles, with the poorest seeing an increase from 2% to 6% and the richest from 1% to 4%.
Dr. Rane identifies several barriers to consistent school attendance, timely enrollment, and education completion. These include inadequate policy and planning, limited budget allocation, a significant shortage of qualified teachers and classrooms, poor infrastructure, cultural norms, health and safety concerns, and reliance on children for income and household chores.
Our correspondent reported that the education crisis in Nigeria is a ticking time bomb, the time for action is now, The future of millions of children, and indeed of the country itself, hangs in the balance.
The so-called compulsory free primary education in Nigeria is not because parents are crying over paying school fees to their children, this means a significant portion of the country’s youth is missing out on the fundamental building blocks for a brighter future.
Millions of Nigerian children have never set foot in a classroom, and this is a travesty. Perhaps equally tragic is the high number of children who do make it into a classroom but then never make the transition to secondary school.
The problem goes beyond just enrollment; low learning achievement is a major concern. Many children who do attend school struggle to grasp basic concepts, further limiting their opportunities.
Several factors contribute to this crisis. Poverty is a significant barrier, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds more likely to be out of school. Insecurity in certain regions, particularly the northeast, further disrupts education access.
Some stakeholders who speak with our correspondent call for a multi-pronged approach to address the crisis.
They emphasise the need for increased funding for education, along with targeted initiatives to address poverty, insecurity, and social barriers that prevent children, especially girls, from attending school. Equipping teachers with proper training and resources is another crucial step.
They also promote improvements in school infrastructure and curriculum development to ensure a quality learning environment that effectively equips students for the future.
Nigeria cannot afford to ignore this crisis. A well-educated population is essential for the country’s development and prosperity. By working together, the government, UNICEF, and other stakeholders can create a future where every child in Nigeria has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
