A group, Treasured Points Of Light Foundation (TPOL) have raised alarm over the increasing number of out-of-school children.
According to the group, the economic hardship has forced some parents to withdraw their children and engage then in menial jobs to survive.
The group advocated for sustainable funding for the educational sector in order to get the over 20 million children back to school.
The Team Lead, TPOL, Damilola Onebamhoin while speaking to newsmen, during an outreach program, organised in partnership with Rite Foods Limited for 350 children of the slum in Abeokuta, argued that numerous potentials are locked up in many of the affected children, which could benefit the nation if properly nurtured through education.
She called on the government at all levels to redouble their efforts at tackling the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
The outreach was part of activities marking 2024 International Children’s Day.
Onebamhoin stated the rise in inflation has led many children to do menial jobs and has resulted in an increasing number of out-of-school children.
She further stressed that if the children get the best of care, despite being from the slum, their future will be secured with the right policies.
She said “Government should empower the parents of these children for them to be financially capable to send their children to school. Government should also work on the economy, with a sustainable economy, every parent will have enough money to send their children to school.”
In his remarks, the Cooperate Communications Manager, Rite Foods Ltd, Innocent Adulugba said the organisation’s focus is to do the right things always, hence the need to support programmes like Children’s Day.
Adulugba noted that the celebration promotes togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and as such it is a worthy cause to partner with TPOL.
He said, “It borders on the purpose of sustainability because children are projects for the long term. Today, tomorrow and in the future, children will complete their growth cycle into adulthood. The society must support children to grow with the right mentality and care within the right and suitable environment.”
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