Plateau State’s government says 23.2% of school-age children in the state are currently out of the classroom, and is considering sanctions for parents who fail to enrol their children in school.
Education Commissioner Kachollom Gang disclosed the figure at a Jos advocacy event organised by the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board, blaming insecurity and socio-economic pressures for the rising numbers. She said the ministry is exploring “stringent measures” to compel enrolment, working alongside traditional rulers and religious leaders.
Universal Basic Education Commission State Coordinator Esther Tells said Nigeria has roughly 18.5 million out-of-school children nationally, one of the highest totals globally, and put Plateau’s school enrolment rate at about 65%, with a dropout rate exceeding 28%.
Officials linked the crisis to insecurity, illegal mining, child labour and early marriage, warning that children outside the classroom face a greater risk of exploitation. Gang noted Plateau, once considered Northern Nigeria’s leading education state, had fallen to 33rd of 36 states, and said the government remains committed to reversing the decline.
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