The Federal Government plans to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country would fail because of insecurity, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has said.
He disclosed this in Minna during the flag off of the national campaign of out-of-school children in the six geo-political zones on Monday.
“Are we going to talk to schools or the victims who are fighting for their lives?” he wondered.
Bello said unless insecurity is addressed, there will be more out-of-school children, adding that no parent would allow their children to risk their lives because of school.
“Unless these situations are tackled, this programme can’t work. If we can’t secure the lives and properties of our people, and ensure that they are safe in their homes and safe to go to school, then this will not work.
“Whatever is going to be done towards improving enrollment of children in schools, the security situation is to be tackled first.”
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, affirmed that insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of out-of-school children in the country.
