As part of celebrations for the International Day for Education, January 24, 500 out-of-school kids and orphans were enrolled into three schools in Maiduguri’s Mafoni ward yesterday.

The Enrolment Drive and Back-to-school Campaign was organised to make parents more aware of the importance of education and the need for children to attend school.

The event, organised by the Ali askEri Primary and Junior Secondary School, was a collaboration with the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board, the Mafoni ward community development support group, Best Educational Service Delivery for All (BESDA), and the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

The 500 children were enrolled at Ali askEri Primary and Junior Secondary School, Yerwa Central School and Mafoni Primary.

Bulama Abiso, chairman of the Borno State chapter of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said the education system in northeast Nigeria was critical and there were hundreds of children out of school and roaming the streets.

“There are very many children who need to be enrolled into schools. With the support from residents and non-governmental organisation (NGO) agencies, we were able to sponsor 500 orphans and children from less-privileged communities to get enrolled into schools. We gave them some money, 350 uniforms, school bags and writing materials.”

Abiso urged parents to enrol their children as soon as possible. “The more education they receive, the better their lives will be.”

A beneficiary, Mustapha Goni Zarami, told RNI reporter Aisha Jamal that he had always wanted to be educated like every other child but, at the age of 16, he had not attended school until recently.

“I came from Marwa village as an almajiri pupil and in the past three years I’ve memorised the full Qur’an. But I lacked Western knowledge. When I spoke to my father about this he allowed me to join BESDA where I got the opportunity to read. They taught me English, mathematics and Arabic for a year. And now I understand English.”

He said: “I wish other almajiris would be as lucky as me and get a chance to be educated too.”

Bulama Abiso, chairman of the Borno State chapter of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said the education system in northeast Nigeria was critical and there were hundreds of children out of school and roaming the streets.

“There are very many children who need to be enrolled into schools. With the support from residents and non-governmental organisation (NGO) agencies, we were able to sponsor 500 orphans and children from less-privileged communities to get enrolled into schools in Mafoni. We gave them some money, 350 uniforms, school bags and writing materials.”

He said there was a good chance that out-of-school kids could get into drugs and other illegal activities if they did not attend school. Many were already involved and some drug pushers used the children to run errands for them instead of going to school. He called on security and related agencies to help put a stop to this.

Aisha Umar, a mother, said she heard about the free schooling for children and went to the event. She said she appreciated the initiative to enhance children’s knowledge because it would be beneficial for them.

“I believe education is a good thing and that it is of utmost importance for everyone.”

According to Aisha Bukar Shallangwa, a pupil at Ali askEri Junior Secondary School, said: “I’m overwhelmed by today’s event because I know it will boost for my quest for education.”

Another pupil, Falmata Goni Mele, said: “I wish that all children could attend school, including the poor whose parents cannot afford schools. I hope this initiative will result in a brighter future for all children. It is a child’s right to go to school.”

Aisha Usman Abubakar, a computer teacher with the N-Power scheme which was created by Nigerian government in June 2016 to address the issues of youth unemployment and help increase social development, told RNI that she teaches computer skills to at least 200 students at Ali askEri Primary and Junior Secondary School.

“Having computer skills is vital in a world that is advancing at such a rapid rate in the use of technology and the internet. Students are paying attention and are benefiting from the knowledge but we lack equipment to enhance their understanding.

“I would like the authorities and perhaps some wealthy individuals to help us by providing more equipment, such as a projector and more computers to enable many children to study computing so that they can manage, process and communicate information.”

• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), meanwhile, welcomed the Nigerian government’s announcement yesterday that it would increase Nigeria’s annual domestic education expenditure by 50% over the next two years, and by 100% by 2025.

“The government has committed to increasing funding for education, which is a very important step – far too many Nigerian children today are not in the classroom – and for those who are, far too many are not getting a solid education that can translate into good prospects for their futures,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, adding that at least 10.5 million children were out of school in the country – the highest rate in the world.

While the education crisis in Nigeria was affecting children across the country, some children were more likely to be affected than others: girls, children with disabilities, children from the poorest households and those  affected by displacement or emergencies, UNICEF said.

“Millions of Nigerian children have never set foot in a classroom – and this is a travesty,” said Hawkins. “Perhaps equally tragic is the high number of children who make it into a classroom, but never make the transition from primary school to secondary school – thereby cutting off their chances for a secure future.”