Community leaders in Sokoto State have observed that the state’s out-of-school children crisis is attributed to poverty and lack of proper sensitisation of parents.
During the visit of the United Nations Children’s Fund Country Representative, Ms. Wafa Said, to SKS Model Primary School, Yabo, stakeholders raised the alarm and renewed their commitment to tackling the challenge facing many children in the state.
According to Yabo community leader, Muhammadu Abubakar, “deep-rooted poverty and poor sensitisation are the real barriers keeping children away from school.”
He explained that they constantly preach about education during sermons, saying that he personally ensured all his children attained university education, some up to master’s level, as they believe so much in education.
Dan Sheu, SBMC chairman, explained that despite successfully re-enrolling many children, most families still struggled to support them beyond secondary school due to the poverty level among some parents who cannot train their children in higher institutions.
He said that they have returned several out-of-school children, enrolling some into secondary schools, stressing that unfortunately, many cannot proceed to higher institutions due to financial challenges.
To sustain its interventions, Sheu said the committee was exploring income-generating ventures such as gardening and small-scale entrepreneurship in order to help those facing such challenges.
Yusuf Sharu, headmaster of the school, explained that innovations like the “Teaching at the Right Level” method had significantly boosted literacy rates, saying that UNICEF’s provision of a borehole had improved hygiene and supported agricultural activities.
Stakeholders said tackling poverty and deepening parental awareness remain critical to reversing the out-of-school trend in Sokoto despite all efforts made.
The UNICEF Country Rep, Said, lamented that many children still roamed the streets rather than being in classrooms, and believed that education remained a catalyst for community transformation in all spheres of life.
When children are given access to education, she believed they not only transform their communities but also contribute to Africa and the world at large, and she urged sustained collaboration among school authorities and community stakeholders.
Mr. Michael Juma, Chief of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, promised continued support for teacher training and improved classroom delivery and encouraged the School-Based Management Committee to expand its environmental initiatives, such as tree planting and erosion control.
