ByAbdulkareem Abdulrazaq

Girl-Child Education in Nigeria: Policy Issues and Challenges

“If we educate a boy, we educate one

person. If we educate a girl, we educate a family

– and a whole nation.”

~~African proverb

Background of the presentation Statement of the problem The girl- child Literature Review

Why girl- child education Issues in girl- child education Barriers to girl- child education National laws Int’l laws and conventions NGOs, CBOs and Human Right Groups Recommendations Photo splash

outline

Background

Sex role Roles assigned by nature by virtue of biological and natural distinct features in a man and woman

Gender role Societal assigned roles based on the socio- cultural beliefs and trado- religious inclinations

Traditionally ingrained negative and obnoxious practices

Girls used for unremunerated and invisible jobs Channeled towards BMM & R Girls training regarded as bad investment leading to

illiteracy Uninformed mind, vulnerability, disadvantaged in the

society Girls are seen as property to the parent

To the husband

Traditional belief of the girl- child

130 million children worldwide had no access to primary education, of which 81 million are girls

More than 75 per cent of the 3.4 million children out of school are girls

In 2009, around 35 million girls were still out of school compared to 31 million boys.

In Nigeria 4.5 million girls are out of school as against boys of 4 million as at 2011.

Statement of the problem

130 million children worldwide had no access to primary education, of which 81 million are girls

More than 75 per cent of the 3.4 million children out of school are girls

In 2009, around 35 million girls were still out of school compared to 31 million boys.

In Nigeria 4.5 million girls are out of school as against boys of 4 million as at 2011.

“Poverty has a woman’s face” undp- 2002

Statement of the Problem

The girl-child is a biological female offspring from birth to eighteen (18) years of age.

This is the age before one becomes young adult. This period covers the crèche, nursery, primary and secondary

Early childhood (0 – 5 years), primary (6 – 12 years) and secondary school (12 – 18years)

The Girl Child

Education is the process of providing information to an inexperienced person to help him/her develop physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, spiritually, politically and economically

Education has been described as the most important aspect of human development, a key to a successful living, especially girl-child education

Education is a vital tool for empowerment that allows meaningful contributions to society

Literature Review

Modern democracies place it as top priority the observance and respect of all fundamental rights as guaranteed. It is upon this, even and level playing ground that utmost potentials of the citizenry, particularly the girl child are harvested in the realm of development all round

“The education of girls and women is important, not only as a matter of respecting a basic human right for half of the population, but as a powerful force for economic development and achieving other social goals such as improved health and civic involvement,” Falt.

Why girl- child education

Girls' education does not only bring the immediate benefit of empowering girls, but is seen as the best investment in a country's development. Education helps girls to develop essential life skills including self confidence, the ability to participate effectively in society and protect themselves from HIV/ AIDS and other sexual exploitations

Girls' education also helps in cutting infant and maternal mortality rates, contributing to national wealth and controlling disease and health status

Children of educated women are likely to go to school

Why girl- child education cont’d

Access Retention

*Drop out*Completion

Issues

Gender discrimination; Early marriage; Teenage pregnancy; Violence against girls in school; Funding; Child and domestic labour; Lack of encouragement; Low Government effort.

Barriers to girl- child education

SECTION 18 (1) CFRN 1999- free, equal and adequate education at all levels

Section 18 (3) CFRN 1999 a) Universal primary education; b) Free secondary education; c) Free university education; and d) Free adult – literacy programme Universal Basic Education Act 2004

National Laws

GTZ-SUPPORTED INTEGRATED GIRL CHILD EDUCATION PROJECT IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Universal Basic Education (UBE) All states board of basic education National commission for mass literacy and non-

formal education (NMEC) Officers’ Wives Associations of the Nigerian

Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) National Gender Policy

National Instruments

Convention on the Right of the Child (1989)- Article 12 – the right of the child to hold views Article 28 – specifies that all children have the

right to primary education Beijing Conference (1995)

Strategic Objective L4- ‘eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training.

Dakar World Educational Forum (2000) Establishment of framework for the

accomplishment of Education for all (2015)

International laws and conventions

The Girl- Child Network Trust Girl- Child Concern Girl- Child Network Save the Girl- Child

NGOs

Collaborative effort from the Govt, NGOs, CBOs and Human Right Groups

Provision of basic learning facilities in schools Need for improved advocacy on the need for

Girl- Child Education Need to improve on the proximity of schools

to villages Need for well- trained teachers

Recommendations

Incorporation of girl- child education in the existing laws and education policies

National Gender Policy should be revised and pay attention to girl- child education as well as adult female well being.

POLICY RECOMMENDATION

TERIMA KASIHTHANK YOU