The world is grappling with a staggering number of children and young people who are out of school. According to UNESCO, the figure has reached a staggering 273 million. This alarming trend has been on the rise for the seventh consecutive year, with one in six school-age children being excluded from education.
The UNESCO report highlights the slow progress in keeping children in school across most regions since 2015. Conflict and population growth are identified as major drivers of this issue. Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly affected, with the situation in conflict zones being even more dire.
Despite these setbacks, UNESCO notes that there have been significant gains over the past two decades. Global enrolment has seen a sharp rise, with over 25 additional children accessing school every minute since the year 2000. Some countries have made remarkable progress in slashing out-of-school rates and expanding access to education.
However, the report cautions that no single policy can tackle exclusion. Instead, it urges tailored approaches and sustained investment to ensure all children can learn.
The UNESCO report's findings are a stark reminder of the Nigerian government's failure to address the country's own education crisis. With millions of children out of school, the government's policies have clearly fallen short. The report's emphasis on tailored approaches and sustained investment is a clear rebuke to the government's one-size-fits-all approach to education. As the global community grapples with this issue, Nigeria must take concrete steps to address its own education crisis and ensure that all children have access to quality education. The government must invest in targeted programs and policies that address the unique challenges facing Nigerian children, including conflict and population growth.
