From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has decried the alarming rate of school dropouts among girls, noting that the consequences of the challenge have been affecting the girl child with attendant socio-economic implications on the Nation.
In her address at the sod-turning ceremony for the construction of an alternative high school for girls in Osogbo, Osun State, she said she envisioned and introduced the idea for the establishment of an Alternative High School for Girls, a vision which was accepted and utilized by the Lagos State Ministry of Education in 2007 when her husband was the Governor from 1999 to 2007 and the school still runs till date.
“My motivation as an educationist and lifelong teacher stemmed from the desire to see young girls and women who dropped out of school due to unplanned pregnancies, cultural barriers, economic or financial reasons, and many more, have a second chance to complete high school, acquire higher education and valuable life skills, to enable them to reach their full potential in life.
“In a world where every girl deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach her fullest potential, it is a sad thing to witness the barriers that stand in the way of their education. No doubt, without education, girls would lack the necessary skills to support themselves and access information to make informed decisions about their health and future.
“The alarming rate of school dropouts among girls is a stark reminder of the need for alternative solutions in their educational pursuits. The consequences of this challenge are profound, affecting not only their lives but also attendant socio-economic implications for our Nation. We cannot afford to squander the potential and talents of half of our population,” she added.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, promised that his administration would provide the necessary support to ensure the smooth operation of the school when completed.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, said the project would be completed within six months and would be replicated in each of the states of the federation.
