In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, over 60% of schools don’t have enough qualified teachers, says the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The Chief of Field Office for Borno State, Phuong Nguyen, mentioned in Maiduguri that less than 40% of schools in these states have teachers with the required qualifications.
This revelation was made during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Education.
Nguyen expressed deep concern about the educational crisis in North-East Nigeria, stating that more than half of all displaced children in the region are currently not attending school.
She emphasized that, despite the right to education, many children are not getting the opportunity to learn, contributing to a persistent learning crisis in the area.
Addressing this issue, the UNICEF official urged the government, humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to increase their financial support for education in the region.
She emphasized the need for substantial and sustainable investments in teacher recruitment and training, school infrastructure, and security.
“We must make a sizeable and sustainable investment in teachers’ recruitment and training, school infrastructure and security, including fortification of school infrastructure against climate change disruptions,” she said.
Nguyen also highlighted the importance of fortifying school infrastructure against climate change disruptions.
The commemoration event in Maiduguri, funded by the humanitarian organization Education Cannot Wait, included a Spelling Bee Competition among three selected junior secondary schools.
Chad Basin Junior Day Secondary emerged as the winner with 12 points, followed by Lamisula Junior Secondary School in second place, and Kaleri Junior Day Secondary School in third.
This event sheds light on the challenges faced by the education system in the region and emphasizes the crucial role of adequate support and investment to address these issues.
