The Plateau State government is alarmed by the rising number of children not attending school, which currently stands at 23.2 percent. To address this, officials are weighing the implementation of strict penalties for guardians who neglect to enroll their children.
Mrs. Kachollom Gang, the Commissioner for Education, addressed this during a session focused on School-Based Management Committees in Jos. She linked the trend to regional insecurity and economic hardships. Although Governor Caleb Mutfwang is working to reform the sector, Gang noted that the state’s previous ranking of 33rd in national education standards requires urgent improvement to restore its historical reputation.
PLSUBEB Executive Chairman Sunday Amuna emphasized that communities must take responsibility for local education. He warned that idle children are susceptible to criminal behavior and urged parents to stop engaging children in activities like hawking or mining. The state is collaborating with traditional and religious leaders to enforce better attendance.
Statistics from UBEC State Coordinator Esther Tells reveal that the state faces a significant dropout rate of over 28 percent. Community leader Davou Terry confirmed that factors such as child labor, early marriage, and displacement due to violence are the primary barriers to consistent school attendance.
