The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has commenced a sensitization programme to tackle the menace of truancy in schools in Kogi State through his Ooni Ojaja Programme For Traditional Rulers’ Intervention on Truancy Prevention, School Enrollment and Engagement.
The Ooni of Ife had appointed Prof. Adekunle Okunoye as Director General, Truancy Prevention Programme, as part of effort to check out of school children and improve enrollment of students in Schools.
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The Coordinator of the Programme in Kogi and the Olujumu of Ijumu, Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, while speaking at an engagement with Traditional Rulers, Teachers and other stakeholders in Iyara, Ijumu Local Government Area, bemoaned the level of truancy in Schools, saying the Ooni was worried about the challenge, hence the programme which cut across States in the South West, Kwara and Edo.
Oba Ayeni noted that education is the bedrock of any society, saying truancy and early pregnancy have led to the increase in the level of out of school children.
As we gather here today, I want to emphasize that education is the key to unlocking the full potentials of our children. It is the foundation upon which they will build their future, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they have access to quality education.
According to him, truancy can lead to decline in academic performance of students and could eventually lead to drop out from schools.
“When students miss school, they miss out on valuable learning opportunities, social interactions, and support from teachers and peers. Truancy can lead to a decline in academic performance, increased risk of dropping out, and a higher likelihood of engaging in negative behaviors.
“So, what can we do to prevent truancy and promote school enrollment and engagement? First and foremost, we must recognize that truancy is often a symptom of underlying issues, such as bullying, learning difficulties, or family problems. By addressing these root causes, we can help students feel more connected to their school community and more motivated to attend.
He stressed the need for parents to up their game in monitoring the conduct of their children.
Parents, you play a vital role in promoting your child’s education. Encourage them to attend school regularly, and engage with their teachers to stay informed about their progress. Create a supportive learning environment at home, and celebrate their achievements.
The Olujumu commended the Ooni of Ife for his foresight in using the programme to stem out truancy in schools, describing it as a step in the right direction.
In his paper presentation, the Head of Department, Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education, Faculty of Education, Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Rafiu Ademola Olatoye said Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world with Kebbi having 67.6%, while Sokoto stands at 66.4%.
According to Prof. Olatoye, although Kogi has 10.2% of out of school children, concerted effort should be made by all and sundry to reduce the menace in the State.
He stated that Traditional Rulers as a link between the School community and the Government have greater role to play in checking absenteeism and truancy in schools.
The Guest Speaker identified Motivation and Reward through Bursary, scholarship and awards, creation of awareness campaigns in Markets, streets, villages, town hall meetings, media as well as Disciplinary action for erring stakeholders parents that allow school-age child to hawk during the school hour as part of ways of checking the trend.
