The Pacey Rise of Female Literacy in Nigeria
Did you know that statistics from World Bank Data indicate a rise from 77.7% to 82.6% in female literacy in 2016?
According to UNICEF, NIgeria is home to the highest population of out-of-school children, with about 10.5 million children currently out of school and 45% of that number being children under the age of 15 years.
About 60% of out-of-school children are girls, sadly, many of those who enrol drop out early. This is a testament to the low perceptions of the value of education for girls.
Some northern states have implemented policies that require the education of girls and prohibition of school withdrawal. The direct effect of this is an improved primary school attendance.
Some Reasons Behind the Disparity:
- Cost of education
Education, especially in rural areas, has since become a luxury since the 1980s economic decline.
Few families can afford to send a child to school, then, we must also consider the misconception that pervades gender inequality — investing in children based on sex (male child first in most cases), birth order or natural endowments.
- Overpopulation
Nigeria is overpopulated, student enrollment rates are on the rise as a result. The challenge here is inadequate facilities and infrastructure to provide a conducive learning environment and separate sanitation facilities particular to the girl child.
- Lack of Enforcement of laws and existing policies relating to child labour, child marriage, and corporal punishments in schools.
What Can Be Done Better?
- Incentive programmes, such as small scholarships, subsidies, food, school supplies and uniforms should be provided to help girls from poor families.
- Gender awareness training should be provided to communities and families on the importance of girls’ education and completion of schooling and actions that need to be taken to make schools safer and more secure.
- Provide support and technical assistance to government and communities to ensure increased access for those children who are hardest to reach.
- Advocacy for implementation of existing policies, regulations and laws protecting children’s rights.
For Nigeria to achieve the goal of being among the largest 20 economies in the world, she must rapidly educate the children, most of all, the girls.
Educating the girls marks the beginning of sound economic and social development. Educating girls produces mothers who are educated and who will, in turn, educate their children, care for their families and provide their children with adequate nutrition.
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