Half Of Displaced Children Are Out Of School In Northeast – UNICEF

January 25, (THEWILL) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has revealed that more than half of all displaced children in the Northeast region are out of school and less than 40% of schools in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) States have teacher-level teaching qualifications.

The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong T. Nguyen, stated this on Wednesday, at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Education, held in Maiduguri.

She observed that for many children, the right to education has still not translated into the right to learn, hence the learning crises and other challenges that we are all trying to address.

She lamented that more than half of all displaced children in the northeast of Nigeria are out of school while less than 40% of primary and secondary schools in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states (BAY), have teachers with low levels of teaching qualifications resulting in ineffective learning of children are the foundation level.

“Children, you are here today as learners, but you are also leaders. I cannot wait to see you at the top.

“From Gaza to Ukraine, Sudan to Nigeria, the 2024 theme, Learning for Lasting Peace, is a call to action for everyone working with children affected by conflict to model education as a catalyst for peace and security.

“Stakeholders, from government to humanitarian partners, must increase education financing. We must make sizable and sustainable investments in teachers’ recruitment and training; school infrastructure and security, including fortification of school infrastructure against climate change disruptions.

“In northeast Nigeria and indeed communities affected by conflict across the world, education is a platform for the delivery of inclusive learning and psychosocial support. For children in armed conflict situations, education is a unique lifeline. It is a driver of peace and security.

“Every International Day of Education affords us the opportunity to look at how far we have come, we cannot lose sight of the huge gaps that still exist in reaching the most disadvantaged children in rural communities with quality and inclusive education,” she said.

UNICEF Chief reiterated that education plays a vital role as a global resource for learning and the acquisition of relevant skills for opportunities in today’s world.

“In collaboration with the Government humanitarian partners and donors such as Education Cannot Wait (ECW). We have made huge strides in the provision of quality, inclusive education for children affected by conflict.

“More girls and children living with disabilities are enrolling in school through regular enrollment campaigns and the provision of a conducive learning environment with sanitation facilities across the northeast region.”Phuong disclosed.

She charged stakeholders to redouble their efforts with innovative solutions even as the context of the operating environment is changing, assuring that UNICEF will continue to work with the Government, donors and other partners to raise the bar of education for girls and boys affected by conflict and give them a future.

The 2024 IDE event witnessed a series of activities such as paper presentations, panel presentations, school quiz competitions among three selected schools, poem presentations by students, prizes, and awards presentation