Save the Children International (SCI) has called on the federal government at the Global Education Summit (GPE) to increase education funding to 14% by 2022, 16.7% in 2023, 20% by 2024, and 22.5% by 2025.
SCI made the demand while expressing concerned about the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
According to the Country Director, Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, Famari Barro from all available records, children constitute a great number of the Nigerian population, and they are the future of the society.
Barro said any investment in this category of the population through prioritizing education will not only propel the economic development of Nigeria but also guarantee an enduring peace, stability, accelerated growth and sustainable development of the country.”
He enjoined the government to ensure accessible, inclusive, safe, quality and free primary and secondary education that promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all children to realize and release their full potentials.
“Therefore, SCI calls upon governments, donors, partners, the international community and key stakeholders to stand by their commitments to prioritize investment in education and educational transformation towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Onorakwa Godgift, 16 years from Ogoja, Cross River State, said “Most of my classmates arrive at school hungry and thirsty having to trek over a long distance every day.
“This means our social and emotional needs are not being met, which is detrimental to our learning and behaviours. This must change through more education funding, which will enable us to achieve our potential and become responsible people tomorrow. And as we reflect and commemorate the annual IDE; we sincerely hope our leaders will be more committed to prioritizing education.”
“While we commend the Nigerian government for launching National Plan on Financing Safe Schools (2023 – 2026), we do appeal for its full implementation to guarantee the safety and security of children, teachers, school personnel and facilities,” she said.
Also, Deputy Speaker of the National Children Parliament, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Zanna Sunoma said “Almajiri is also a child, there should be a deliberate effort by parents, government and NGOs in investing in their formal education.
He said Education must be for all including children with disability and children on the street. If they are not left out, believe me, we can change our tomorrow for the better. All hands must be on deck to ensure all children have free and quality education at all levels.”
“Education is no doubt at the heart of Global Goals. It is a singular act that is needed to reduce inequalities (Goal 10), reverse cycles of intergenerational poverty (Goal 1), and improve health (Goal 3) as well as the vehicle to achieve gender equality and eliminate child marriage (Goal 5).
“It is high time that the Federal, State and Local Governments and all stakeholders prioritize education as a public good; support it with cooperation, partnerships, and funding; and recognize that leaving no one behind starts with education,” he said .
Save the Children International (SCI) is Co-Leading Education in Emergencies Working Group with UNICEF, Federal Ministry of Education as the Lead. Save the Children International Nigeria has expanded its intervention from a single education project in 2016 to eighteen education projects covering emergency, development, and peace building nexus currently.
In 2023 SCI Nigeria is focusing on enhancing access to quality inclusive and gender responsive education for children and adolescents and those living with disabilities. Through its education projects, SCI have reached over 1.3 million children (782,642 girls and 517,358 boys) in nine states, namely, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Cross River, and Benue states.
