The Nigerian Government has commenced plans to capture out of school children and enrol them in schools across the Federation.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said this in Abuja at the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee of the Alternate School Programme.
She said this becomes necessary because Nigeria is the leading Nation in the World with the most out of school children.
“As a result of this embarrassing situation, My President decided to deliberately launch the ASP to ensure that every out of school child in Nigeria gain access to quality basic education, irrespective of social, cultural or economic circumstance.
“Each member of this National Steering Committee has been carefully chosen in expectation of the immense value you will bring in charting the strategic direction of this programme. It is in this regard that we all will guide its strategic implementation to ensure that the objectives as designed are achieved.” She said.
According to her, the main objective of the programme is to take the school where the children are.
“We have tried other programmes that didn’t really work, so we thought this Alternate School Programme will help in educating these children that are not enrolled in formal education schools,” Farouq said.
Farouq further, however, noted that while the programme was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will serve as the intervention ground through its Social Intervention Programmes.
On his part, the Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said the scheme will engage the children to become participants in the global economy.
“And to do that, we have to identify where they’re and reach out to them.” He said.
Nwajiuba said the Steering Committee will come up with different methodologies to address gaps identified in the previous programmes.
“Challenges vary and it’s not a one size fit all.” He added
The Steering Committee is expected to come up with sub-committees that will address the different challenges.
Zainab Sa’id
