NOA, Commission Collaborate On Almajiri, Out-of-School Children In Delta

National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children are collaborating to ensure that every child of school age goes back to school.

Delta State director of NOA, Mrs Tracy Ikolomi, stated this at a media engagement in Asaba to sensitise members of the public on issues of state and national importance.

She lamented that it was unfortunate that some school children roam the street without time to acquire education which is key to the upbringing of a child, stressing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to combating the ugly trend through strengthening of relevant institutions.

Noting with concern the menace posed by Almajiri and out-of-school children, she hinted that the Delta State management team of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children had commenced discussion with her on the need to build and strengthen collaboration with a view to bringing back to school children roaming the streets.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is doing its part to ensure that every child is given their rightful place. Even the wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is deeply concerned about the plights of out-of-school children, and it is one of her pet projects to ensure that children roaming the streets are sent back to school.

“The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children is partnering NOA-Delta. When they find children roaming the streets, they will bring them out. We in NOA will talk to them on the need for them to go to school and be in a sheltered environment,” she said.

While sensitising children about their right to quality education, the NOA state director urged parents, guardians and other critical stakeholders to be alive to their responsibilities in the upbringing of children.

She said children as future leaders require sound and quality education to give them a proper footing for a greater tomorrow.

“Every parent must send their children to school to make them better citizens. We are also sensitising them not to abuse their right, as well as on the danger of social vices such as cultism and drug abuse,” she added.

She urged victims of bullying and other forms of abuses to speak up to draw the attention of relevant authorities.

According to Ikolomi, teachers, instructors and other school workers have a great role to play in achieving a bullying-free generation, emphasising that they must be vigilant during school hours to ensure that no pupil is bullied.