Former Minister of State for Education Aishatu Dukku said that parents, rather than the government, should bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that their children receive formal education. The remarks were made in a recent interview reported by Punch Nigeria, where Dukku emphasized the need for families to take active steps to enrol and keep children in school.
Dukku argued that while the government can provide infrastructure, policies and funding, the decisive factor in a child’s education is parental commitment. She noted that parents must register their children, pay any applicable fees, and monitor attendance to guarantee that schooling is not merely a theoretical right but a lived reality.
The former minister warned that reliance on state provisions alone has not closed the education gap, especially in regions where school enrolment remains low. She called on parents to recognise their role as the first line of defence against illiteracy and to collaborate with schools to address barriers that keep children out of classrooms.
Providing broader context, Nigeria’s education system continues to grapple with challenges such as uneven access between urban and rural areas and gender disparities in enrolment. According to UNESCO data, primary school net enrolment in Nigeria hovers around 70 percent, indicating that a substantial number of children are still not in school.
Dukku’s comments echo a long‑standing debate in the country about the balance of responsibility between the state and families. By urging parents to take greater ownership, she highlighted the importance of community involvement alongside governmental efforts to improve educational outcomes.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>