Oyo state has tasked various Non-Governmental Organisations with the inclusion of persons living with disabilities in their Girl-child Education Campaign.
This will enable the girls that fall in this category to have a sense of belonging.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Prof. Salihu Adelabu gave the task at the launch and dissemination of the State of Girl-Child Education (SoGE) Report at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan.
The Commissioner who was represented at the launch by Elder Delani Binuyo underscored the relevance of the Girl-child Education to the advancement of the Education sector in the Country.
Adelabu while commending Onelife Initiative the convener of the programme for its commitment to improving girl-child education submitted that the inclusion of girls living with disabilities would expand the scope of the campaign.
The inclusion of girls living with disabilities, according to him is in line with the education programme of Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
On the Onelife Initiative, the Commissioner submitted that it has not only excelled in the education sector but has also made significant contributions to the betterment of humanity.
He, therefore, underscored the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, educators, and community leaders, to ensure sustainable improvements in girl-child education.
“We must work together to create a supportive environment for our girls, enabling them to achieve their full potential. The report calls for a multifaceted approach to address the challenges facing girls in education, including enhancing educational infrastructure, providing access to healthcare facilities, and implementing comprehensive sexuality education.”
“Additionally, it emphasises the importance of guidance and counseling services to support female students throughout their educational journey.”
Earlier in his address, the Executive Director of Onelife Initiative, Sola Fagorusi, has announced a strategic focus on transforming policies surrounding girl-child education in Oyo, Ekiti, and Akwa Ibom States.
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Fagorusi emphasised the importance of girl child education, noting that it is crucial for the overall development of the nation.
He stated, “Our primary goal is not just to provide education but to create an environment where young girls can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Fagorusi highlighted the alarming statistics from the 2022 WAEC examinations, revealing that only 11 out of 1,200 girls from Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State passed, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
According to him, the SoGE Report offers a comprehensive assessment of the state of girl-child education in the state, spanning from 2022 to early 2024.
The study, he said, was designed to identify the key challenges and opportunities within the educational landscape for girls and proposes actionable recommendations for stakeholders to enhance educational outcomes.
Fagorusi noted that the organisation has been actively gathering data on the performance of secondary school students over the past two years, disseminating findings to raise awareness and drive improvement efforts.
“For the past two years, we have focused on public secondary schools, specifically from JSS ONE to SSS THREE, as this is where foundational changes can occur,” he explained.
“The report also utilised data from the Oyo State Annual School Census Report (2021) and employed a mixed-methods approach for data collection, which included surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews with key stakeholders. A total of 34 schools across Oyo State were involved in the study, with questionnaires administered to 1,280 girls.”
“The qualitative analysis revealed a critical need for interventions in specific local government areas, particularly Iseyin, Ibarapa North, and Lagelu. In Iseyin, a staggering pass rate of only 0.87% was recorded for girls who sat for the WAEC exams, highlighting a systemic issue that requires immediate attention,” he explained.
“In conclusion, the SoGE Report highlights that Oyo State has the potential to advance girl-child education, provided that stakeholders commit to addressing the identified challenges.”
“By embracing the recommendations outlined in the report and collaborating effectively, it is possible to pave the way for a brighter future where every girl has equitable access to quality education,” the commissioner stated.
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