An educationist, Tokunbo Yakubu-Oyinloye, has called on the federal and state governments to establish more schools to accommodate more out-of-school children across the country.

Ms Yakubu-Oyinloye, the director of the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service (FEQAS), made the call in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

“The federal and state governments will have to come together to see how more schools will be established,” she said.

She also emphasised the importance of education quality assurance, saying it was key to ensuring standards.

According to the director, FEQAS ensures that education standards are maintained in all schools below the tertiary level.

Segun Olawole, an engineer, told journalists that tackling out-of-school syndrome in Nigeria would require a multi-faceted approach.

“Addressing the issue requires the commitment of governments, civil societies, communities and families.

“Governments should increase funding of the education sector and allocate more resources for programmes to address out-of-school syndrome,” he said.

Mr Olawole said that despite the government’s efforts, the number of children out of school kept increasing.

He said efforts should be intensified by the three tiers of government, families, communities and civil society groups to adequately address the menace.

A teacher at Mulero High School in Agege, Lagos State, who preferred anonymity, told journalists that governments should develop and effectively implement more policies to address the root causes of the menace.

He listed the causes as poverty, conflict, and cultural barriers.

The teacher also urged the establishment of alternative education programmes, such as non-formal or vocational training programmes, to cater to children not in formal schools.

Also, an educationist, Adebayo Olu-Adekoya, told journalists that governments should create more awareness across communities, particularly rural communities, on the importance of education.

“Governments should organise awareness campaigns to sensitise communities and families about the importance of education,” he said.

A principal, Adetoro Habeeb, said, “Communities and governments should work together to ensure there is a decrease in the number of out-of-school children.

“Governments should support community-based initiatives that provide education and skills to out-of-school children.

“Governments and community leaders should also provide support, such as conditional cash transfers and scholarships, to families to enable them to send their children to school,” Mr Habeeb said.

(NAN)