Kwara state government and other stakeholders in the education sector have been urged to address challenges affecting girl child education in the state.
Speaking during the launch of a research document on girl child education to commemorate International day of Education in Ilorin, the Executive Director of a youth development center, Nurah Jimoh-Sanni, said there is the need to invest in the education of the girl child as women are the first teacher to a child.
According to him, research findings had identified early marriage and teachers absenteeism among factors affecting girl child education in the state.
Jimoh-Sanni, explained that other factors mitigating against the education of the girl child include lack of parental support, poverty, gender-based violence, as well as high cost of school materials, among others.
He noted that findings revealed that all of the female students helped their parents every day with several routines which directly or indirectly have negative impact on their attitude towards education.
Jimoh-Sanni urged the state government to embark on programmes that will encourage girl-child education.
ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU