The Ministry of Education has said that it is actively working towards reintegrating Nigeria’s 20 million out-of-school children into the education system within the next four years.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said this on Monday at the 2024 budget defence before the joint committee of the National Assembly on Education in Abuja.
He outlined the government’s commitment to producing skilled graduates at the tertiary level who can contribute effectively to national development.
Prof. Mamman highlighted the multifaceted approach being taken to address the out-of-school children challenge, including providing opportunities for those who can return to traditional schooling and empowering those who cannot through short-term skills training.
The minister expressed the ministry’s dedication to creating meaningful livelihoods for all children, regardless of their educational paths.
In alignment with the government’s policy focus, the Ministry of Education has engaged with stakeholders to review the national school curriculum, aiming to emphasize skills acquisition for students.
Prof. Mamman urged universities to incorporate skills training and entrepreneurship into their curricula to produce graduates who are self-reliant and better prepared for the workforce.
For the fiscal year 2024, the ministry is allocated a total of N101.45 billion, with N5.88 billion designated for personnel costs, N1.08 billion for overhead costs, and N94.48 billion for capital expenditures.
Responding to the concerns raised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Alternative Education, Rep. Aliyu Mustapha, Prof. Mamman acknowledged the National Assembly’s efforts to address the rising number of out-of-school children and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to implementing programs and vocational training to address the issue effectively.