The Federal Government has introduced a nationwide household data collection initiative to accurately identify children who are out of school, adopting a model pioneered by Kaduna State as part of efforts to improve education planning and expand access to basic education across the country.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the initiative would be implemented in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to replace projection-based planning with verified information.
According to the minister, the Federal Ministry of Education will work with the National Bureau of Statistics to conduct a comprehensive household mapping exercise aimed at generating reliable data on children who are not enrolled in school.
Alausa explained that the decision to adopt the Kaduna model followed its effectiveness in providing accurate, community-based information, which he said would support better policy formulation and resource allocation.
He noted that the new approach would enable government to identify the actual number and location of out-of-school children, ensuring that interventions are directed at communities with the greatest need.
The minister said dependable data is critical to addressing Nigeria’s education challenges, stressing that planning based on estimates often limits the effectiveness of government programmes.
He added that the nationwide exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector through evidence-based policies and improve access to learning opportunities for every child.
The Federal Government expressed confidence that the initiative would provide a clearer understanding of the country’s out-of-school population and support targeted interventions aimed at reducing the number of children excluded from formal education.
