LASUBEBtrains270indigentout-of-schoolchildrenparents

30th June 2022

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has trained 270 indigent parents and guardians of enrolled Out-Of-School Children (OOSC) Assistant Editor BOLA OLAJUWON writes on the philosophy behind the training, which is financial sustainability.

Nigerian schools’ policy-makers are being confronted by two major challenges in the education sector –the issue of 10.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, which is the highest rate in the world, and the question of “learning poverty”

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) said 10 5 million children are out of school in Nigeria Also, the World Bank defines learning poverty as: “the inability to read and understand a simple text by age 10 ” When a child can’t read, it further impedes their ability to succeed in school and beyond

Moreover, 260 million children are not even in school This is the leading edge of a learning crisis that threatens countries’ efforts to build human capital and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Without foundational learning, students often fail to thrive later in school or when they join the workforce.

For the Lagos State Government, its educational administrators are using NewGlobe Methodology, which a Nobel Prize-winning economist, Professor Michael Kremer, has confirmed among the largest learning gains measured in schools by a major study in Africa, including Nigeria

The groundbreaking study, led by the 2019 Nobel Prize-winning economist, finds that children living in underserved African communities receive 53 percent more learning in schools supported by Nigerian government partner NewGlobe, throughout their early childhood and primary schooling. The Lagos State Government is one of three states using the methodology with its EKOEXCEL programme

Training indigent parents, guardians of enrolled out-of-school children

However, to sustain retention, completion and transition of newly enrolled pupils in public primary schools, the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has trained 270 indigent parents and guardians of enrolled Out-Of-School-Children (OOSC) under the Project Zero initiative

The Board sought WAPA’s collaboration and support in tackling the peril of out-of-school children in the state.

At the graduation held at SUBEB hall, the Executive Chairman LASUBEB, Wahab Alawiye-King stated that the three-week skill acquisition and empowerment training programme, which commenced on Monday, 6th – 23rd June, is designed to tackle the root causes of the menace of OOSC

He noted: “The board realised the need to address the causative factors, one of which was identified as socio-economic challenges of parents/guardians of these children ”

Appreciating public and private organisation that have so far supported the project zero initiative, he extolled WAPA for supporting the board in the realisation of its objective to rid the state of roaming school-age children, by ensuring that pupils enrolled are retained in schools

Philosophy behind the training

Alawiye-King noted that the skills acquired by the burden bearers will help them become self-reliant and independent. He advised the graduates to utilise the skills learnt as a means of earning legitimate incomes, stating that they have been trained to be self-sufficient in order to care for their wards, ensure their regular attendance in schools and prevent child labour

Commissioner of WAPA Mrs Cecelia Dada, while welcoming participants, noted that the short term skills acquisition programme is a promise fulfillment to the board, directed at financial sustainability of the indigent parents

She noted that the parents had been trained on nine various skills of choice such as Hair & Wig Making, Event Decoration & Management, Fabric Stoning & Embellishments, Cake, Snacks & Beverage Production, Soap, Pomade & Insecticide Production, Throw Pillow &Duvet Making, Ankara Craft and Leather Works, Make-up & Gele Tying, and Tie & Dye.

The overall essence of this economic empowerment is status lifting and most importantly provision of their children’s needs Prizes were presented to outstanding participants by the board and the graduates were issued professional certifications and equipment