Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu has said that the rising number of children not going to school is very disturbing, especially in the Northern part.
Sununu said this unacceptable situation needs all hands on deck to solve it.
He said this at the 2023 Bauchi Education Summit held in Bauchi on Monday, with the theme: “Improving Access and Quality of Education in Bauchi State.”
According to him, there is an urgent need for concerted efforts to reverse the alarming trend.
“The rising figure of Out-of-School Children in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern part is not only unacceptable but disheartening; there must be concerted efforts to address and reverse the trend of this time-bomb phenomenon”
This is as he expressed optimism that the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children will facilitate better collaborations and synergy in addressing issues of Out-of-School Children and grant the Tsangaya schools the necessary recognition and status they deserve.
Dr Sununu revealed that the Commission aims to address and integrate Tsangaya/Madarasa schools into basic education, urging collaboration from Ulamas and school proprietors.
Sununu commended commended the Bauchi Governor for his pro-activeness in bridging the gaps in the education sector in the state.
On his part, Governor Bala Muhammad said his government is ensuring the development of education.
“I am proud to announce a progressive increase in budgetary allocation to education since the beginning of my first administration. In the fiscal year 2023, we have allocated approximately 16% of the total budget to education, a record high in recent years.
He noted that a well-funded education sector is crucial for the overall development of our state.
