72% primary school leavers in N’East can’t read – UNICEF

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said 72 percent of primary school leavers in the three North East states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe are still unable to read despite an increase in school enrollment.

UNICEF Officer-in-Charge, Maiduguri Field Office, Mr Joseph Senesie disclosed this at a press conference in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital yesterday to commemorate the World Children’s Day.

“Despite improvements in school enrollment, an estimated two 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 Children’s Day, ‘Tapping the untapped treasures,’ was apt but maintained that a lot of effort needs to be put together to address several issues regarding the rights and wellbeing of children in the North East 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 remind all that urgent work on child’s issue still remains. For instance, he said only three in 10 children across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states have their births registered. He noted that such a situation denies children the legal identity and access to healthcare, education and protection services.

He said the global body had been working in the three states.