Stakeholders in the education sector in line with Sustainable Development Goal (four) have tasked the federal government on gender-responsive education sector planning, describing it as an essential tool for advancing gender equality education.
They also called on the federal government and relevant agencies to conduct training sessions, provide ongoing education, and organise workshops for teachers to address the issue of girls dropping out of school in the country.
They made the call in Abuja at the commemoration of International Day of Education, themed: „Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning for Peacebuilding,“ with support from Plan International and the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria (EU-YSB).
A member of the Human Development Committee, EU-YSB, Adekubi Ogunsuyi, emphasised the importance of training female children in education and making education more inclusive.
She called on youths to actively engage with the European Union‘s initiatives, acknowledging their leadership and commitment to community development in Nigeria.
Representing Plan International, Laban Onisimus, highlighted the importance of leveraging partnerships to achieve common goals and aligning with the objectives of the EU Youth Sounding Board.
Also, an education master trainer, Mrs Jiddere Musa Kaibo, stressed the need for continuous training for teachers, emphasising the importance of seemingly small details in a child‘s life.
She harped on the significance of building a connection between schools, homes, and communities, stressing that deliberate mechanisms must be in place to address identified problems.
Addressing the reasons behind girls dropping out of school, Jiddere pointed out various factors such as an unfriendly school environment, home-related issues, and community challenges. She emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure children not only enroll in school but also stay happy and engaged.
„Seemingly minor issues can lead to students, particularly girls, avoiding school. For instance, the lack of facilities for menstruating girls may deter them from attending school,“ she said.
She stressed the need for synergy among all involved parties to create an environment where children, especially girls, feel supported and encouraged to attend school.
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