In direct response to the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria, earlier today, Aderonke Foundation proudly announced the launch of their Free Schools Program in 7 locations across Nigeria.
Since 2018, the foundation has been actively working to address significant gaps in Nigeria’s education system. The organization initially started by setting up small accessible children’s libraries in about to 100 locations across the country offering a safe space for children to read, learn to read, and play games like spelling B and chess to expand their minds. Following this, the organization launched a technology training program called TechSavvyNigeria that sends instructors to underserved schools to teach a basic technology class, reaching over 8000 children per month who have had limited to no exposure to computers. Thirdly, they have a leadership development program using similar methods; the leadership development program reaches about 50,000 children annually.
The lastest program, Free Schools Nigeria is the most innovative and most needed so far because it directly addresses the menace of out of school children which as many have said poses significant risks to the country if not addressed.
Through this program, out of school children will receive 2 hours of daily education at various locations throughout the country. They get to learn the basics of literacy and numeracy and other skills as a temporary, alternative to traditional education.
With the aim of serving as a stop gap or intermediate solution, empowering young minds and breaking barriers to learning, the foundation has started with seven free schools in Gombe, Abuja, Sokoto, Enugu, and Plateau States. The foundation hopes to quickly cover all local governments that show a large number of out of school children within the next few years.
These schools have literally become beacons of hope, offering essential educational resources and support to children who do not have access to formal schooling otherwise.
According to the founder, Dr. Aderonke Kujore Adelekan, “with all the work that we’ve done with children across the country, we realize that we don’t have time to wait. The safety and ultimate future of our country largely depends on what we do or fail to do with Nigeria’s roughly 20million out of school children. We cannot wait any longer, we need to quickly engage all our out of school children and prepare them to be useful citizens”.
The foundation is actively seeking partners and sponsors to help ensure that every child has a seat at the learning table for at least 2 hours per day while we look for more permanent traditional solutions to the problem of out of school children.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
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