By Naomi Sharang
The Head Teacher of Pesach International Academy, Kubwa, Abuja, Pastor Olajumoke Raji, has called for urgent and concerted efforts to tackle the growing crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Raji made the appeal during the school’s 2025 Nursery Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony held on Saturday.
Reflecting on the school’s journey since its establishment in 2018, she noted that Pesach Academy has successfully graduated two sets of Nursery pupils and is steadily expanding its Primary education programme.
“Although we’re yet to graduate a Grade Six class, this marks our second graduation from Nursery Two into the primary section,” she said with joy. “It’s a proud moment for us.”
Raji identified financial hardship and poor awareness as key drivers of the out-of-school children crisis.
“Some parents don’t see the long-term value of education, often because they were never given the opportunity themselves,” she noted, stressing that education remains a powerful tool to break cycles of poverty.
“Education is the key—it is life itself. When you give a child education, you give them a future. Without it, many children will struggle to become anything in life.”
Raji revealed that the academy is a not-for-profit institution run with support from the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Daki-biyu District (Peculiar People), Kubwa. Tuition is free for children of church members, with a 50 per cent subsidy offered to non-members.
“Our goal is to ensure no child is left behind because of money,” she said.
Also speaking, a member of the school’s board, Prophet Ejalonibu Lawrence, echoed Raji’s concerns, stating that financial barriers remain a significant hurdle for families across the world.
“That’s why our board prioritises tuition subsidies to provide nearly free education. Children are the future—we must invest in them now,” he said.
The school’s Welfare Officer, Mrs. Faith Olakunle, expressed gratitude for the successful completion of the academic session and applauded her colleagues’ resilience.
“Teaching is tough, especially when learning materials are scarce,” she said. “But when there’s passion, it drives you. I believe our reward begins right here—not just in heaven.”
Representing the parents, Mrs. Salome Sarki hailed the event as a collective victory and praised the school’s commitment to affordable education.
“This celebration is a shared success. We are deeply grateful to the school management for keeping tuition costs low and ensuring our children have access to quality education,” she said.