By Joke Ajayi
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has described Girl-Child Education as a potent tool for social transformation and sustainable development.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the special education forum organised by a Non-Governmental Organization, Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), the First Lady said reiterated the commitment of the Oyebanji-led government to Girl-Child Education, noting that nothing should be allowed to deny girls of access to education.
Dr Oyebanji who was represented by Prof Mary Adedokun said the vision of the current government is to produce the best human resource for developmental purpose.
She assured that the state government would ensure that quality and affordable education is made accessible to the physically challenged and other vulnerable groups in the society.
Oyebanji appealed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the goal of education for all is well achieved.
In her contribution, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Dr Folakemi Olomojobi who was represented by Director Evaluation in the ministry, Mrs Modupe Adebayo explained that some girl child have poverty mentality where government has been assisting the parents in the payment of school fees, WAEC & JAMB fees, provision of Laptops and textbooks in core subjects.
Another Panelist, the Permanent Secretary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Mr Michael Omolayo listed some of the factors limiting education for girl child which included economic factors, parental background, differential value system placed on education by the parents, location which are outside the control of the girl child, fear of insecurity, amongst others.
Mr Omolayo explained that parents are student's first teachers to provide home training, hence the need to provide basic needs (food, clothing and shelter) and learning materials (where necessary) to complement government free and compulsory education policy.
He advocated for increase in public enlightenment,volunteer groups, philanthropists,NGOs and Stakeholders involvement to provide helplines for indigent and vulnerable children(male and female) for inclusive education.
He stressed that educating girl child will bring about educated and prosperous society at large.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sola Adeluyi who was represented by the Assistant Director Child department Mr Tolu Ogunniyi, said that Culture, Stereotype, Predators, early forced marriage are some of the limitations of a girl child which can be corrected by changing of beliefs and having enlightenment programmes.
He stressed that government has created vocational centres for women and survivors for empowerment and also giant stride in the provision of sanitary pads for girls hygiene.
The Executive Director of Initiative for sound education, relationship and Health (ISERH) Mr Abayomi Abdulraheem who was the last Panelist emphasized that some girl child have some fake beliefs about education and are ignorant of the importance of education.
He advised that catching children young goes a long way in moulding them and as well accord the society an ease of life through societal re-orientation.
Earlier in her remarks the Project Coordinator of AGILE Mrs Yewande Adesua, disclosed that the project would run for five years which is aimed at safe, condusive learning environment in schools for students. Also in bringing up children with the skills to navigate through life and giving the girl child a voice.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director BIGIF, Mrs Tumininu Adedeji said that the programme focussed on discussing norms,practices of a girl child and building a better future for them, accessing quality education amongst others.
She noted that developing communication strategy in addressing the challenges highlighted and valuable insight were the key factors.
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