Schools Reopening: States Where Pupils May Not Resume Despite 7.5m Increase in Out-of-School Children

• As the federal government sets dates for Nigerian pupils to return to school following their long break, about 9 states may not open their schools for the children to return to class
• This is a result of terrorist and bandits activities in the northern part of the country, and nine of them are mostly affected
• According to UNESCO, Nigeria's out-of-school children have increased from 12.5 million in 2021 to 20m in 2022

As Nigerian children are prepared to resume school for a new academic session, many of them may remain out of school in some states.

According to The Punch, no less than 615 schools have remained shut in some states where terrorist activities have taken the order of the day.

Many states in the northern part of the country have suffered a series of terrorist attacks. Many, including the children, were injured, killed, and several others kidnapped.

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How many children does Nigeria have out of school?

On Thursday, September 1, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in conjunction with the Global Education Monitoring Report, reported that the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has increased to 20 million.

This data showed a 7.5 million increase in the 12.5 million which was recorded in 2021.

The report has resulted in calls for urgent action by the government to rescue the situation so that the out-of-school children can return to school.

Below is the list of the most hit states:

1. Kaduna
2. Zamfara
3. Katsina
4. Niger
5. Sokoto
6. Kebbi
7. Bauchi
8. Plateau
9. Taraba

Full list of states in Nigeria where children do not have rights

Legit.ng earlier reported that no less than 31 states in Nigeria have enacted what can be referred to as children's rights in their laws, while 5 others have yet to follow similar steps.

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UNICEF disclosed that the latest state that joined the list of states that give children rights in their laws is Kebbi state.

While commending the Kebbi state governor, UNICEF said it works to reach out to the world's most disadvantaged children.

Source: Legit.ng