TIP undertook different activities to mark this year’s international day of education with the theme “Invest in people, prioritise education”. It started the day with a press statement calling on the Nigerian government to ensure quality access to education and increase the annual budgetary allocation for education for Nigerian children. The press statement circulated widely can be found here.
Additionally, TIP launched its documentary highlighting some barriers to girls’ education using Abazu in Ikeduru LGA of Imo state as a case study. For the past year, TIP has supported young girls in Abazu communities with information and opportunities for improving their education. The launch was followed by a discussion on Instagram Live with individuals who faced different barriers in accessing education in their community, along with an expert to discuss the plight girls face and suggestions to the government in prioritizing education.
The speakers -Amb. Aisha Lawal, a Women Rights Activist, Abimbola Bamghose, a Conflict Analyst and Mr. Benjamin John, Program manager, ROHI – extensively discussed the topic “Access to Quality Basic Education ( Barriers and solutions)”. Aisha and Abimbola narrated their personal experiences growing up in rural communities of Kano and Ogun saddled with challenges of lack of infrastructure, menstrual products, and WASH facilities amongst many other challenges.
Mr. Benjamin proffered possible solutions and called on the government to create a safe space for children to access education in conflict areas, build more schools in rural communities, increase the number of teachers, and make learning tools more accessible for the students.
TIP will continue to push for an equal and just society where every girl has access to good education to achieve her dream.