Vice President Kashim Shettima has issued a stark warning about the consequences of educational neglect, stating, “the child who remains out of school today will be a threat to their peers in the classroom tomorrow.”
According to The PUNCH, his remarks came during the Nigeria Governor’s Forum International Conference on Girl Child Education, held on Thursday in Abuja, with the theme: “Girl Child Empowerment through Quality Education.”
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children through increased budget allocations and ongoing advocacy.
He noted that the alarming statistics regarding out-of-school children in Nigeria highlight the urgency of addressing this issue.
“The risk posed by each out-of-school child should concern all stakeholders,” Shettima remarked, calling for a “concerted, multi-sectoral approach” that involves the Federal Government, state and local governments, civil society, and donor partners.
According to the latest multiple indicator cluster survey, 25.6% of primary school-age children are out of school, with the figure rising to 29.6% for secondary school-age children. “Each child abandoned to the streets is a liability that the nation will one day pay for,” he warned.
Shettima urged immediate action, stating, “We cannot afford to turn away from this reality, and the need for creative and innovative solutions is now more present than ever.”
He highlighted the particular vulnerability of girls in education, stating, “The issue of girl child education is for every nation, but in our part of the world, her vulnerability is especially pronounced.”
The Vice President noted that the National Economic Council aims to secure the future of the girl child by prioritizing education along with health, nutrition, and employability.
He shared an ambitious goal to achieve a 0.6 score on the World Bank’s human capital index, emphasizing the need to increase schooling years, enhance educational quality, and ensure that no child, particularly girls, is left vulnerable or out of school.
Shettima pointed out that northern Nigeria faces the highest rates of out-of-school children, particularly in states like Kebbi, Zamfara, and Bauchi. For instance, he revealed that more than 60% of primary school-age children in Kebbi are not in school, with staggering figures for secondary education as well.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be held hostage by these frightening numbers,” he stressed, calling for immediate action plans tailored to the unique needs of each region.
In discussing educational financing, Shettima noted significant increases in spending, stating that in 2022, states allocated one trillion naira to education, representing 12% of total expenditures.
He announced a commitment to N2.4 trillion by states for 2024 and N2.2 trillion by the federal government, bringing the total to N4.6 trillion.
“Although states currently dedicate 14% of their budgets to education, we must aim higher,” he stated. “Our campaign to see 15 to 20 percent of the state budget allocated to education is not just a target, but a necessity, as it is the surest way to guarantee the future of our children and our nation.”
