African Child Education Rights I

A panel discussion held in Lagos

Quality, Free and compulsory educat
Possibilities, Challenges within Nigeria Environment
Final Communiqu
Background:
Free and compulsory education is a
enshrined in United Nations
signed by many African Nations. This right
Union rights of child. But
a challenge for many African nations. Sub Saharan Africa seems to have
some of the highest out of school children.
On the possibilities:
-Education increases individual value system.
education for all children is
-On the possibilities of free and compulsory education, the experts
recommended that having a free and compulsory
children especially the poor
system.
- Since the advocacy for inclusive early education is a fundamental human
right, free and compulsory education will make this a reality.
of parents financial strength should not deny a child education as each child
has a right to education.
-Free and compulsory education will allow early and inclusive education
which will help government to integrate every child as early as possible
the school system.
- The experts also agreed with UNESCO stands which states
the best way to foster culture of peace an
compulsory education will allow every Nigerian
Child Education Rights Initiatives
held in Lagos Nigeria on June 16, 2014 African Child
compulsory education for all African Children
Possibilities, Challenges within Nigeria Environment
Communiqu
Free and compulsory education is a fundamental right of all children
ations Universal Child Rights Acts. This has been
by many African Nations. This right is also incorporated into African
ut the application and implementations have become
for many African nations. Sub Saharan Africa seems to have
some of the highest out of school children.
increases individual value system. A free and compulsory
children is a good way to sustain this.
On the possibilities of free and compulsory education, the experts
that having a free and compulsory education will help many
oor in the rural areas to be integrated into school
ince the advocacy for inclusive early education is a fundamental human
right, free and compulsory education will make this a reality. Also, t
financial strength should not deny a child education as each child
Free and compulsory education will allow early and inclusive education
which will help government to integrate every child as early as possible
The experts also agreed with UNESCO stands which states
the best way to foster culture of peace and build inclusive society
compulsory education will allow every Nigerian
nitiatives, Nigeria.
2014 African Child Day theme:
Children: the
all children. This is
has been jointly
is also incorporated into African
implementations have become
for many African nations. Sub Saharan Africa seems to have
free and compulsory
On the possibilities of free and compulsory education, the experts
education will help many
in the rural areas to be integrated into school
ince the advocacy for inclusive early education is a fundamental human
Also, that lack
financial strength should not deny a child education as each child
Free and compulsory education will allow early and inclusive education
which will help government to integrate every child as early as possible into
The experts also agreed with UNESCO stands which states Education is
d build inclusive society free and
-Free and compulsory education can help in developing, strengthening
human capital at the disposal of the Country as well as guarantee a level of
equality.
- If Nigeria government is serious and committed, free and compulsory education
for children is possible given the availability of resources Nigeria is endowed with.
-To make free and compulsory education work effectively, Child Rights Acts which
has been adopted promulgated into laws in some States need a lot of strong will,
commitments from all the actors to be successful. Having a law enacted is just the
beginning; a commitment to implementation is a MUST.
Challenges and looking forward:
-On the challenges, we call on Government and political leaders to work hard on the
present Political environment which does not place premium value on education.
Governments at all levels need to ensure the minimum 26% budget allocation to
education should not be compromised.
-Furthermore, there is need for workable curriculum development which fits in and
can resolve Nigeria challenges. There is need for curriculum harmonization among
the basic school system in Nigeria. The Private schools often concentrate on British,
America curriculum while the Public schools focus on something else.
-Government tat all levels need to be committed to training and capacity
development of school Teachers at the basic level. 40-60% of the present crops of
Teachers in basic schools need a lot of training if we must catch up with MDGs
goals.
-There is a need to check corruption in the education sector which is a major
problem to its development. The impact of yearly allocations to education has not
been significantly felt in terms of quality infrastructural developments within the
basic education sector.
-There is a need for improvement in data collation as free and quality education will
require good data to function appropriately.
- Nearness and easy accessibility of schools to children is also important. In some
rural areas, schools are about two and a half kilometers away from the children.
This may discourage some. So in such places, governments should consider
establishment of new school to encourage the children in such location.
-Civil society groups with a focus on education should keep up the advocacy as
their continuous efforts may put all stakeholders on edge.
-In term of Low funding, free and compulsory education requires huge investment.
There is a call on corporate and individual philanthropists to consider a huge
divestment of funds into education. Such initiatives in Lagos state Adopt A school
should be encouraged and propagated across the 36 States of Nigeria including the
federal Capital territory in Abuja.
-Convention and creed: experts agreed that Nigeria should be part of various
International Conventions and creeds in order to be relevant, benchmark great
values in the global scene. But while doing this, there is need to act local and think
globally. Hence the need to domesticate some of these creeds and conventions in a
way that can help us achieve our goals.
- There is need to ensure legal framework which makes the demands of free and
compulsory education to work well. Strict adherence to this legal framework will
help in no small way.


#Communiqu issued from project office of African Child Education Right
Initiatives, Lagos Nigeria emai: contatcus@africanchildeduright.org , tel: +234
7061194389