Fresh crisis rocks education in Enugu as 50% of children can’t read, solve simple Math

The Enugu State Government's Secretary, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, has raised concerns about education, revealing that approximately half of the children in the region cannot read or solve fundamental mathematical problems.

This revelation was made at the quadrennial convention of the Old Boys Association of Union Secondary School in Awkunanaw, Enugu, where Onyia delivered a keynote address titled "Smart Basic Education and the Future of Africa."

In his speech, he highlighted the substantial educational difficulties confronting Enugu State.

As quoted by Daily Trust, he said: “Our findings were shocking. After six years of primary school, 50 per cent of our children cannot read a single word in English, and those who can read struggle with comprehension. 50% of our children cannot solve simple subtraction challenges.”

While worrying about the bigger picture, Onyia highlighted that the problem goes beyond Enugu State.

He pointed out that three out of four children who finish their primary education in Nigeria lack adequate skills in both numeracy and literacy.

He said: "The World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO have defined this as ‘the Nigerian Learning Crisis.'”