In a renewed effort to reduce the number of out-of-school children and promote inclusive education, the Benue State Government has announced that children from low-income families can now access free education from primary level up to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in public schools across the state.
This initiative was revealed by Mrs. Mary Ejeh, Director of Child Welfare at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Wednesday.
According to Ejeh, the state government, acting through the Ministry of Women Affairs, is ensuring that every child willing to learn has access to basic education at no cost. She noted that many children who were previously roaming the streets have already been enrolled in schools as a result of this policy.
“The state government is doing everything within its power to get children off the streets and into the classrooms. While we cannot compel them to attend school, we are creating every opportunity for willing children to receive an education for free,” she said.
Mrs. Ejeh emphasized that the policy covers all children who seek admission into government-owned schools up to JSS 3, regardless of their background or family circumstances. She added that the initiative is part of a broader mission to uphold the rights of children and give them a chance at a brighter future.
When asked about enforcement of the Child Rights Act in the state, Ejeh confirmed that the law is fully operational but noted that no prosecutions have been recorded so far for violations of the act. She, however, stated that the government is open to receiving reports and acting on credible information about any breaches.
“We are fully implementing the Child Rights Law in Benue. However, we’ve yet to receive any official report leading to the prosecution of violators. The government is ready to act decisively if any such cases are brought forward,” she said.
The director reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to child protection and appealed to community members and stakeholders to report any incidents that threaten the well-being or rights of children in the state.