By joshua KOGI STAKEHOLDERS REVIEW 10-YEAR GENDER-IN-EDUCATION POLICY TO TACKLE OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN
…Gov Ododo Directs Enforcement of Child Rights Act Against Hawking During School Hours
By Abu Micheal
The Kogi State Government has moved to address gender disparities in schools with the review of a draft 10-year policy aimed at ensuring equal access to education for boys and girls across the state.
The Kogi State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE, on Thursday convened stakeholders in Lokoja to critique the Kogi State Policy on Gender in Education and Implementation Guidelines 2026-2036.
The meeting held at the Banquet Hall of Government House was declared open by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade.
Governor Ododo commended the technical committee that drafted the document and urged participants to produce a workable policy that will not only address gender gaps but also raise the overall quality of education in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Mrs. Ayoade reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to repositioning the education sector and ensuring that every child of school age is in school.
She directed the Ministry of Education to work toward reducing the number of out-of-school children to zero, and called for the enforcement of the Child Rights Act to stop children of school age from hawking during school hours.
The SSG also appealed to parents and guardians to prioritize education, describing it as the key to unlocking opportunities for individuals and communities.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, said the draft policy was developed with AGILE in response to global concerns on gender parity. He noted that many girls and boys still lack access to foundational learning, essential skills, and opportunities needed for safe and productive participation in society.
According to him, the 2026-2036 policy is designed to mainstream gender concerns across all levels of education and promote inclusivity and equal opportunity.
The Director of Educational Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Animoku Ahman Elizabeth, explained that the Kogi State Policy on Gender in Education, KSPGE, was modeled after the National Policy on Gender in Education 2021.
She said the policy focuses on access, retention, performance, and completion for both boys and girls, and is critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5 on quality education and gender equality.
Dr. Animoku added that the policy is anchored on the Nigerian Constitution and existing state laws that promote gender mainstreaming, equity, and social inclusion across the education sector.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the Ministry for initiating the policy and called for a statewide sensitization campaign to create awareness and ensure effective implementation.
The review marks a major step by the Kogi government to institutionalize gender equity in education and close gaps that have kept many children, especially girls, out of school.
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