Education for children is a fundamental human right that has been recognized for a long time and is included in a variety of international declarations and treaties.
However, in Nigeria, kid training is many times seen as an honor that is saved for the people who can manage the cost of it, as opposed to a right that ought to be accessible to all youngsters.
With over 10.5 million children of primary school age not attending school at the moment, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world.
Poverty is a major obstacle to child education in Nigeria. The cost of sending their children to school is simply out of reach for many families who struggle to make ends meet.
Despite Nigeria’s status as one of the largest oil producers in the world, the nation still ranks among the world’s poorest, with more than 70% of its population living below the poverty line.
Many families are unable to afford the high costs of education—fees, books, uniforms, and other supplies—which result in high dropout rates among those who do attend school.
Gender inequity is another barrier to child education. Nigeria has one of the world’s most significant levels of orientation based savagery and oppression ladies and young ladies. This is reflected in the training area, where young ladies are frequently less inclined to go to class than young men, and when they do join in, they are bound to quitter.
Girls are frequently viewed as a burden on families and are expected to care for younger siblings and perform household chores rather than attend school. This is made worse by the fact that the country only educates 4 percent of its teachers, and many schools do not have enough facilities for girls, like separate restrooms and management of menstrual hygiene.
A third major obstacle to child education in Nigeria is access to high-quality education. Many schools lack basic facilities and resources, and many teachers lack adequate training and support, making the country’s education system fragmented and underfunded.
As a result, many children fail to acquire the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills they need to continue their education and succeed in the future because of this.
In Nigeria, corruption and poor governance are also significant obstacles to child education. The instruction area is many times subject to political obstruction and debasement, with arrangements made in light of political association as opposed to capabilities, and assets frequently redirected to non-schooling related purposes. Schools are mismanaged as a result, and accountability and transparency suffer as a result.
In Nigeria, cultural practices and social norms, in addition to these structural barriers, significantly hinder children’s access to education. Child marriage is still common in many parts of the country, with girls as young as 10 being forced to marry. Youngster marriage frequently spells almost certain doom for a young lady’s schooling, as she is supposed to expect the job of a spouse and mother, instead of going to class.
The use of child witches is another cultural practice that prevents children from getting an education. Children are frequently accused of being witches in numerous parts of Nigeria, and their families frequently abandon them, leaving them without care or protection. This is a grave violation of human rights and a serious form of child abandonment with long-term repercussions for the child.
A multi-pronged approach to addressing the various obstacles to education is required to address the challenge of child education as a human right. One significant step is to distribute more assets to the training area, with an emphasis on raising financing for instructor pay, foundation improvement, and the arrangement of fundamental assets, for example, course books, school outfits, and learning materials. This will assist with addressing the primary hindrances to schooling and work on the nature of training in the country.
Gender-sensitive approaches must also be given priority in education interventions, with an emphasis on addressing the distinct requirements and challenges faced by girls and boys. Girls will be provided with the materials, resources, and support they need to stay in school as a result of this, which will help to break down cultural and social norms that deny girls access to education.
Additionally, it is essential to enhance education sector governance and accountability. In order to accomplish this, policies and procedures must be made crystal clear, resources must be used effectively, and officials and school administrators must be held accountable for their actions.
At long last, there is a requirement for more prominent interest in the improvement of fundamental proficiency and numeracy abilities among youngsters. This will assist with guaranteeing that all youngsters have areas of strength for an in perusing, composing, and math, and will make it more straightforward for kids to get to more elevated levels of schooling from now on.
In conclusion, the human right to education for children in Nigeria is a complicated and multifaceted issue. The structural, cultural, social, and governance-related obstacles that prevent children from exercising their right to education must be addressed collectively.
Nigeria has the potential to significantly advance its goal of ensuring that all children receive an education by adopting a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes the needs of children and addresses the various obstacles to education.
