Stakeholders urge FG to enhance gender education training for teachers

By Abubakar Yunusa

Stakeholders in the education sector are urging the Federal Government and relevant agencies to conduct training sessions, provide ongoing education, and organize workshops for teachers to address the issue of girls dropping out of school in Nigeria.

They made call at the commemorations of International Day of Education, themed “Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning for Peacebuilding,” with support from Plan International, the European Union, and organized by the European Union Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria, held in Abuja.

Mrs. Jiddere Musa Kaibo, the education master trainer, said the need for continuous training for teachers, emphasizing the importance of seemingly small details in a child’s life.

According to her ,”The significance of building a connection between schools, homes, and communities, stressing that deliberate mechanisms must be in place to address identified problems.”

Addressing the reasons behind girls dropping out of school, Jiddere pointed out various factors such as an unfriendly school environment, home-related issues, and community challenges. She emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure children not only enroll in school but also stay happy and engaged.

“Seemingly minor issues can lead to students, particularly girls, avoiding school. For instance, the lack of facilities for menstruating girls may deter them from attending school. She stressed the need for synergy among all involved parties to create an environment where children, especially girls, feel supported and encouraged to attend school”.

Adekubi Ogunsuyi, EU-YSB Human Development Committee, emphasised the importance of training female children in education and making education more inclusive.

She called on youths to actively engage with the European Union’s initiatives, acknowledging their leadership and commitment to community development in Nigeria.

Laban Onisimus, representing Plan International, highlighted the importance of leveraging partnerships to achieve common goals, aligning with the objectives of the EU Youth Sounding Board.