C’River State, Commission Partner To Tackle Out-Of-School Children Crisis

The Cross River State Government has pledged collaboration with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to ensure all children are back to school in the state.

The government made the commitment on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey, by the Commission’s advocacy team led by Dr. Obia Ekpenyong Eniang-Esien.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Eniang-Esien emphasized the urgent need for inclusive, quality education that targets children between the ages of 4 and 14, particularly those marginalized or disconnected from the formal education system.

“We are building a comprehensive, multimodal education system that ensures Almajiri and out-of-school children acquire the skills necessary for personal development, economic empowerment, and active societal contribution,” Eniang-Esien stated.

“Our focus is on fostering lifelong learning, cultural integration, and innovation that aligns with national development priorities and global education standards.”

He called on the Cross River State Government to support the pilot phase of the initiative and champion collaborative strategies that will serve as a model for other states.

Also present was Mr. David Omang, representing the Executive Secretary of the Commission, who commended the state’s education leadership under Commissioner Odey.

“We must recognize the Commissioner’s outstanding contributions to education in Cross River State.

“He has been a principal actor in driving educational transformation,” Omang said.

In response, Commissioner Odey expressed deep appreciation for the visit and reiterated the state’s readiness to cooperate fully with the Commission.

He noted that the team’s engagement aligns with the recommendations of Governor Prince Bassey Otu.

“Our administration is taking decisive action to reduce the number of out-of-school children, especially in rural and underserved communities,” Odey said.

“We understand that the economic climate has worsened the situation, but we are deploying targeted interventions to mitigate its impact.”

According to the Commissioner, some of the state-led initiatives include free WAEC registration for all eligible students to eliminate financial barriers.

Tuition-free education at both the basic and secondary levels, with only minimal administrative charges.

Engagements with rural communities to address the higher prevalence of out-of-school children.

Increased public awareness and support for parental involvement in education.

“These measures are beginning to yield results,” Odey noted.

“Our WAEC pass rate has improved from 68.7% to 72.7%, and in the 2024 NECO rankings, Cross River emerged third among the top 12 performing states nationally. This is a strong endorsement of our education reforms.”

Highlighting the state’s commitment to national and global literacy efforts, Odey also announced that Cross River will host this year’s World Literacy Day.

“We have received full approval from His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu, to host this important event, which underscores our dedication to literacy and sustainable development,” he said.

The Commissioner affirmed the state’s continued engagement with federal and inter-state education agencies.

“We are committed, ready, and working tirelessly to ensure every child in Cross River State is in school and learning,” he declared.

C’River State, Commission Partner To Tackle Out-Of-School Children Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper