By Dare Akogun
In commemoration of the International Day for Education, an Ilorin based non governmental organization Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has called on the Kwara state government to ensure compulsory girl-child education in the state.
Global Director of the group Olasupo Abideen made the call at the launch of a research document titled, “Girl Child Education and Emerging Issues in Kwara State: Assessment of issues militating Girl Child Education Development in Kwara State”, today in Ilorin.
The report addresses factors affecting the education of the Girl-child in Kwara state and recommends potential solutions.
He said over the years, the girl-child education has suffered because of many factors such as low-income family background, cultural beliefs of the parent, forced child marriage, and so on.
According to him “Based on this, BBYDI embarked on this research-based project to precisely assess the issues hindering the increase in girl-child education in Kwara state by getting information directly from the girl-child, her parents, and her teachers.
“We implore the Kwara state government to activate action against gender-based violence in the state; this is to provide a safe space for the girl child to learn by strengthening security within and outside the school areas,” he said.
In her remarks BBYDI Executive Director, Nurah Jimoh-Sanni, urged the state government to penalise parents and guardians who deprived their wards of getting a basic education.
“We urge relevant stakeholders to join the education crusade through sensitisation and other possible areas by donating study materials and organising educational programs with enticing prizes to encourage pupils/students,” she said.
