In Nigeria, 3.9 million or 27% of the 14.5 million persons between ages 14 – 16 years did not complete Primary Education, an analysis of the UNICEF 2023 Fact sheet reveals.
Of this 3.9 million persons, 1.9 million or 48% are Females, while 2 million or 52% are Males.
Some of the factors responsible for the number of out-of-school children are poverty, bias against formal education, unaffordability of education, crisis, and family preference.
It is estimated from the fact sheet that there are 7.5 million male children and 7.1 million female children who should have had or completed their primary education.
Of these, 5.5 million male children completed their primary school education compared with 5.1 million females.
This leaves out 2 million males, a 27% of 7.5 teen males who did not complete their primary education and 1.9 million females, also 27% of 7.1 teen females who did not complete primary education.
According to UNICEF, access to primary education is a basic right for every child. An effective primary education can build a solid foundation for a children’s development and open avenues for their future success.
With its profound implications on both the individual and society, primary education plays a crucial role in reducing extreme poverty and promoting social changes.
Research shows that a lack of attention to the number of out-of-school children will lead to slower economic growth and reduced income, gender disparity, and child mortality rates in communities will soar.
Meanwhile, UNICEF advised that out-of-school children are among the most vulnerable and face a high risk of forced child marriage, child labour and recruitment into armed groups. These children are not only denied their right to education but also their right to safety, health, play and future opportunities.
Incomplete Primary Education: Begins with Out-of-School Children
The prevalence of out-of-school children is the first indicator of non-completion-rate in primary, junior secondary and seconday schools.
Nigeria’s 27% primary school non-completion rate is an offshoot of its 26% out of primary school rate.
Here, Nigeria has the 6th highest proportion of out-of-primary school children in West Africa.
The Country with the highest percentage of out-of-school children is Mali with 44%. Niger Republic comes second tops with 40% out-of-primary school children, and Burkina Faso, third, with 32%.