The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, says 20 Million children are out of school in Nigeria roaming the streets that President Bola Tinubu, expressed worried and unacceptable on the level of development in Nigeria.
The Minister, who stated this on the occasion of the commissioning of Junior Secondary/Vocational Education School at Nagari College Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state stated that President Tinubu says, education is the only way to fight poverty, thereby directing the Ministry of education to reduce the number of out of school children which concerted effort was made by putting off infrastructural development so that they can accommodate and recruit those out of school back to school.
He said, the Vocational School commissioned in Kebbi state, was the first among the 51 constructed across the country with a view for children to aquire skills at the early stage of their life for them to become self employed.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state said vocational education plays a crucial role by preparing the young people for the challenges of the modern workforce by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge as well empowering them to succeed in their chosen field so that they contribute meaningfully to the economy.
He disclosed that, budgetary provision has been made by the his administration for the establishment of additional Vocational schools across the state.
The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, said the construction and the equipping of the Junior Secondary/Vocational Education School, marks the beginning of an intensive drive towards ensuring that, education at all levels is made relevant and useful to the leaner, his community and the country at large.
He stated that, the emphasis of schooling is shifting towards developing the academic and enterprenual potentials of young learners with the intention of equipping them with life sustaining skills that will make them employable, productive, self reliant and capable of contributing to the development of their communities and the country.
COV/Abdullahi Tukur