By: Gloria Abutu
The alarming rise in the number of out-of-school children in Adamawa State has prompted renewed calls for collaboration between the government and traditional institutions to address the crisis.
Nigeria currently has the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with over 18 million children out of the classroom, according to UNICEF.
More than half of them are of primary and junior secondary school age.
This growing educational gap threatens the future of millions of children and poses long-term socio-economic risks.
To curb this trend, the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) project is intensifying efforts to collect data that will enable effective planning and intervention to reduce the number of children on the streets.
Speaking during visits to the traditional councils, Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), Dr. Murtala Umar Babayi expressed deep concern over the worsening situation.
Despite significant investments in education, many parents still refuse to enroll their children in school.
“We must work collectively to ensure that every child gets an education and becomes a productive citizen,” he emphasized.
BESDA focal person, Prince Vincent Adiel, highlighted the importance of accurate data collection to improve educational planning.
He stressed that taking children off the streets required a strategic approach.
“Reliable data is crucial for planning, and every child that leaves the streets for the classroom is a step towards a better future,” he noted.
Traditional rulers also voiced their concerns.
The Gangwari Ganye, Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda described the persistent out-of-school problem as worrisome.
He linked the crisis to activities such as mining, which he said diverts children’s attention from school, and pledged to collaborate with district heads to enforce school attendance.
Hama Bachama, Homon Daniel Shaga Ismaila, further stressed that education is a critical issue that requires urgent attention.
Expressing concern over harmful practices that keep children away from school, he condemned street begging, farming, hawking, and prostitution during school hours, and called for stricter enforcement of laws to sanction parents who exploit their children for commercial purposes.
He also advocated inclusive teacher training programs that cater to persons with disabilities and emphasized the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach to education.
At the Hama Bata’s palace, Homun Alhamdu Gladson Teneke fully endorsed the initiative.
He assured that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure its success, describing it as a laudable effort with the potential for long-term impact.
With traditional institutions lending their voice to the fight against the out-of-school crisis, it is expected that stronger enforcement measures and better educational planning will help secure a brighter future for children in Adamawa State.
