President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated an 18-member Presidential Steering Committee on Alternate School Programme (ASP) in a move he says will sustain efforts on providing formal and conventional education.
Speaking at the inauguration, Buhari said that it was unacceptable to see children abandoning formal school to engage in menial jobs and child labour in the markets, streets and workshops.
He also used the occasion which took place at the Presidential Villa January 26, 2021, to charge the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to map out a National Plan which will address the issue of out-of-school children in the country.
‘‘While we continue to sustain our efforts on providing formal and conventional education through the activities of the Universal Basic Education Commission under the Federal Ministry of Education, it is still a common sight to notice children abandoning formal school to become apprentices in shops, workshops and markets, whilst many others choose to loiter at markets, become cart pushers and hawkers. These are not acceptable,” Buhari said.
Chairman of the Committee, Umar Farouq who also spoke at the inauguration implored its members to take the assignment with utmost seriousness adding that “the future of our young people is at stake”.
