The federal government has declared its renewed commitment to ensuring that the strategies for the improvement of girl-child education are disseminated to all states of the federation, to enhance the reduction of high gender disparity in the nation’s education sector.
Delivering a keynote address at the 11th Girl-Child Education National Steering Committee Meeting in Abuja, minister of state for education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike stated that the ministry would synergise with all stakeholders to scale up programmes geared towards improving girls’ education.
He said the ministry is currently addressing the boys/girls dropout syndrome, through the rehabilitation of schools and advocacy visits to states to sensitise planners and ensure adequate community participation, especially by women.
A press statement signed by the special assistant (media) to the minister of state, Simeon Nwakaudu, quoted him as saying, “The Federal Ministry of Education recognises the critical role of girl-child education and has made it a top priority, hence the scale up of girls’ education interventions to all states of the federation.”
Wike noted that the interventions in girls’ education are designed to address Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) two and three and to assist Nigeria in attaining its Education For All (EFA) by 2015 goal.
The minister, who is also the chairman of the national steering committee, appealed to states to reciprocate the gestures of development partners by also committing resources to address both girl and gender education issues.
He commended the British Department for International Development (DFID) and UNICEF for their funding initiatives and technical support towards enhancing girl-child education.
Earlier, director of Basic and Secondary Education at the ministry, Mrs Mabel I. Ozumba stated that the meeting was convened to discuss modalities for improving on the gains attained in the enhancement of girl-child education in the country.
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