By Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Nasarawa State Ministry of Education has commenced the process for the development of a school re-entry guideline for out-of-school adolescent mothers in the state.
The guideline which will further help the state to implement the Girls’ Education Policy established last year is aimed at providing opportunities for adolescent mothers to acquire a good education.
Speaking at the stakeholders event held recently in Lafia, the Director of Schools, Nasarawa State Ministry of Education, Igbone James Digocho, emphasised on the need for the school re-entry guideline.
In his words, “There is a need for Adolescent Mothers to be welcomed back to school, and they should be made to understand that they still have hope. If yesterday did not know and yesterday died, today that knows will not die again,” he said.
The Director of Schools appreciated Teenage Network and Rise Up for supporting the ministry on the initiative.
READ ALSO: Persons With Disabilities Demand Special Schools In Nasarawa West
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Teenage Network, Olanike Timipa-Uge applauded the state government, saying that the guideline will remove the structural barriers that prevents adolescent mothers from completing their education. She noted that returning adolescent mothers to school will improve the economic, health and educational outcomes of the state greatly.
Civil Society Actors in the state have also stated their support. The Executive Director, Centre for Women Youth and Community Action (NACWYCA), Dr Aboki Nawani in his goodwill message stated the organisation’s support for the school re-entry guideline.
He urged stakeholders to engage the guideline to ensure it is implemented.
Also the Executive Director, Beacon Youth Initiative, Emmanuel Okolo, applauded the ministry of Education’s initiative stating that the entry of girls and adolescent mothers into the formal education system was a step in the right direction. He expressed optimism that the implementation of the project would benefit the people of the state.
READ ALSO: Nasarawa Govt Tasked With Higher Budget Allocations For Women Affairs, Education
He therefore urged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state and government to be more proactive and responsive to policies that have a direct bearing on the people.
Some of the adolescent mothers, both from Assakio and Lafia North local government areas of the state, Peace Emmanuel and Sabatu Adeka, who spoke in an interview with journalists, said what happened to them was a
mistake.
They therefore appealed to the government to intervene and provide them with the opportunity to resume their education.