The Edo state government has said it would begin prosecuting parents and guardians of out-of-school children in the state.
The State governor, Godwin Obaseki said the decision is part of its plans to improve access to education, taking all children off the streets.
He made the disclosure during the Edo State Education Policy Town Hall meeting, in Benin City, where he mentioned his administration’s rediness in ensuring that all Edo children have access to quality education.
The governor stated that the issue of child rights would be taken seriously, as “any child found begging on the streets of Edo will be taken to one of our rehabilitation centres.”
Obaseki noted that the state had begun collecting data of out-of-school children and their locations.
“I am using this opportunity to let parents and guardians know that, as part of our policy, if we find any child out of school, the parents or guardian will be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
On her part, the state Commissioner for Education, Joan Osa-Oviawe, over 2000 teachers have been recruited and trained on technology, innovative teaching and learning techniques at primary and junior secondary schools as part of ongoing reforms in the education sector.
