Feeding programme has increased academic enrollment, reduced out-of-school Children – FG



The federal government has disclosed that its school feeding programme across some states of the country had reduced the number of out-of-school children.
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, while lamenting the problem of school age children who are out-of-school said, “It is a sad commentary on the nation’s history that in the 21st century, Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in sub-Saharan Africa and perhaps in the world, ranked only second to Pakistan.”


Adamu who spoke at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, highlighted financial incapacitation, violent conflicts, ignorance on the part of parents/guardian, lack of political will to confront the ugly phenomenon, socio-cultural complexities, distance to schools, physically challenged children and child labour among others as the reasons responsible for the unfortunate development.


Represented by Arch. Sonny Echono, the minister revealed that the most endemic states of the out of school children include; Kano, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, Oyo, Benue Jigawa and Ebonyi.He further disclosed that the number of out-of-school children currently stood at 10 million.


“For now, based on the recently conducted National Personnel Audit of both Public and Private schools, Nigeria has an estimated out of school children population of 10.193,918.”This administration also embarked on the school feeding programme in some states of the federation.  It is now clear that the programme has led to an unprecedented increase in school enrolment. I want to assure you that by the time we complete this year’s school census exercise, the number of out of school children would have dropped significantly.”Adamu expressed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s commitment to reducing the number to the barest minimum.

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