72% Pry school leavers in N’east still can’t read -UNICEF
By Idun Maximus
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that 72 percent of primary school leavers in the three Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe are still unable to read despite increase in school enrolment.
UNICEF Officer-in-Charge of Maiduguri Field Office, Mr Joseph Senesie disclosed this at a press conference in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital on Tuesday to commemorate the World’s Children Day.
He said: “Despite improvements in school enrolment, an estimated 2 million children remain out of school in the region. Moreover, 72 percent of children who complete primary school cannot read simple texts, and only 62 percent transition to junior secondary school,” he disclosed.
He said the theme of this year’s World’s Children Day, ‘Tapping the untapped treasures’, was apt but maintained that a lot of efforts needs to be put together to address several issues regarding right and wellbeing of children in the Northeast states affected by violence.
“We must ask ourselves: Are we truly unlocking the potential of our children, our untapped treasures? Are we dismantling the barriers to their growth and safeguarding their future?”, the UNICEF chief asked.
He said several indicators reminded all of the fact that urgent work to be done on child’s issue still remains. For instance, he said only three in 10 children across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa state have their births registered. He noted that such situation denies children the legal identity and access to healthcare, education, and protection services.
He said the global body has been working in the three states.
