SUBEB Reports 240,000 Children Out of School in Ondo
To tackle the issue head-on, SUBEB, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), conducted a weeks-long training program under the Better Education Service Delivery For All project. The training focused on the Basic Attendance Management Information System and aimed to equip stakeholders with digital tools for effective pupil attendance management.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has raised concerns about the alarming rate of children being out of school in the state. According to SUBEB, the number of out-of-school children has reached a staggering 240,000.
Mr. Victor Olabimtan, Chairman of Ondo SUBEB, revealed this unsettling statistic during a meeting with journalists on Tuesday. He emphasized that this issue is not unique to Ondo State but is prevalent across the country.
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Despite the grim situation, Olabimtan highlighted the government's efforts to address the problem. Measures include plans to employ more teachers in primary schools and renovate existing infrastructure to make schools more appealing to students. Over 900 public primary schools have already undergone complete renovation to create a conducive learning environment.
To tackle the issue head-on, SUBEB, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), conducted a weeks-long training program under the Better Education Service Delivery For All project. The training focused on the Basic Attendance Management Information System and aimed to equip stakeholders with digital tools for effective pupil attendance management.
Olabimtan credited the successful implementation of these initiatives to the state government's commitment and financial support. He noted that the government's investment, including a counterpart fund of N3.9 billion, has enabled SUBEB to undertake extensive school renovations, provide educational materials, and improve overall infrastructure.
The impact of these investments is already evident, as evidenced by improved performance in both internal and external examinations. Last year, students from Ondo State excelled in the National JET Competition held in Nasarawa State.
Despite these efforts, Nigeria continues to grapple with a significant out-of-school population, with 1 in 3 children out of school nationwide, according to statistics from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This underscores the urgent need for continued collaboration and investment in education to ensure all children have access to quality education.
