The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, has voiced deep concern over the escalating number of out-of-school children, particularly in Northern Nigeria, describing the situation as disheartening and unacceptable.
He emphasized the urgent need for a collective effort from all stakeholders to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector, emphasizing that failure in education equates to the failure of the entire nation.
Speaking at the 2023 Bauchi Education Summit with the theme “Improving Access and Quality of Education in Bauchi State,” Dr. Sununu highlighted the alarming trend of out-of-school children, especially in the Northern region, and called for concerted efforts to reverse this time-sensitive phenomenon.
The minister expressed optimism about the newly established National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, believing it will facilitate better collaboration and synergy in addressing issues related to out-of-school children. He emphasized the need to grant Tsangaya schools the necessary recognition and status, revealing that the Commission aims to integrate these schools into basic education.
Dr. Sununu commended the proactive measures taken by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in addressing gaps in the education sector. He cited initiatives such as teacher capacity building, additional teacher recruitment, and infrastructure development as commendable steps.
Governor Bala Mohammed, in his address, highlighted the state’s commitment to quality education, including a progressive increase in budgetary allocation to education. He announced that approximately 16% of the total budget for the fiscal year 2023 has been allocated to education, emphasizing the importance of a well-funded education sector for the overall development of the state.
