The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a comprehensive strategy for addressing the menace of out-of-school children in the country.
Finance Minister Wale Edun at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Alternate Education, outlined initiatives aimed at ensuring every child has access to quality education.
According to Edun, the government is committed to strengthening education through various programs, including the establishment of the Secretariat for Financing Safe Schools. This initiative, launched in January 2022, aims to implement a national plan to strengthen school security from 2023 to 2026.
Additionally, the government plans to relaunch the Home-Grown School Feeding Program, which provides meals to students and incentivizes them to remain in school. This program is expected to increase school attendance and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The government’s efforts are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration’s broader economic strategy, which prioritizes education as a key driver of growth and development.
Edun expressed optimism that these initiatives would positively impact the national budget and provide sufficient resources to support educational programs.
With these initiatives, Nigeria aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve access to quality learning for future generations. The government’s commitment to education is seen as a critical step towards achieving the goal.