The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced a new partnership with traditional and religious leaders across Nigeria to address the country’s persistent out‑of‑school children crisis.
Under the initiative, UBEC will work with community elders and faith‑based organisations to identify children who are not enrolled in primary or secondary schools and to encourage families to send them back to class. The commission said the collaboration will help to break down cultural and logistical barriers that often prevent children from attending school.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has long struggled with high rates of children out of school. While the government has made progress in expanding access to education, many children still miss out due to poverty, distance from schools, and social norms that deprioritise formal schooling.
UBEC’s partnership with traditional and religious leaders is part of a broader strategy to strengthen community involvement in education. By harnessing the influence of local authorities and faith groups, the commission hopes to raise awareness of the importance of schooling and to mobilise local resources to support enrolment.
Officials say the programme will be rolled out in phases, beginning with regions that have the highest numbers of out‑of‑school children. The commission will monitor progress and adjust its approach based on community feedback and enrolment data.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>