Buhari directs ministry to design national action plan for out-of-school kids

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to design and deploy a national plan to eliminate the out-school-children syndrome in the country.

The President gave the directive on Tuesday during the virtual inauguration of the 18-member Presidential Steering Committee on Alternate School Programme (ASP), co-chaired by the Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs and Education.

He said it was unacceptable to see children abandoning formal school to engage in menial jobs and child labour in the markets, streets and workshops.

President Buhari said the national plan to be deployed by the Federal Government through the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, would ensure comprehensive inclusiveness of appropriate basic education for vulnerable children.

“To commence this special education initiative, emphasis should be given to first provide a limited scope of subjects in Mathematics, English language, Basic Science and Social Studies. Gradually, the initiative will be scaled up to ensure the acquisition of relevant technical skills in the process that can enable the beneficiaries to participate in gainful economic activities,” he said.

President Buhari noted that in view of “some United Nations (UN) agencies that report a disturbing level of out of school children estimated at 13 million”, the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry had identified the critical need to further address literacy inclusiveness, especially among the vulnerable children.

“While we continue to sustain our efforts on providing formal and conventional education through the activities of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) under the Federal Ministry of Education, it is still a common sight to notice children abandoning formal school to become apprentices in shops, workshops and markets, whilst many others choose to loiter at markets, become cart pushers and hawkers.

“These are not acceptable,” he said.