**Kaduna Foundation Raises Alarm on Young Girls Dropping Out of School for Marriage**
The Lere Educational Foundation has sounded the alarm on the troubling trend of young girls abandoning their education to enter into marriage. Professor Kabir Mato, the Vice Chairman of the foundation, voiced his concerns during the commemoration of 19 years of Umaru Mohammed Memorial School (UMMS) in Lere. This event also saw deserving individuals in Kaduna being honored over the weekend.
Foundation’s Concerns
Professor Mato highlighted the urgent need for action, calling on the Emir of Lere, Sulieman Umar, to leverage his influence in educating parents about the importance of allowing their daughters to pursue education. He revealed that UMMS currently enrolls 553 pupils and students across various levels, with a total of 237 students having graduated thus far. The school boasts 19 qualified teachers holding the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) and six support staff. However, the foundation faces a significant challenge with the dropout rate, particularly among young girls coerced into early marriages, greatly hindering the educational progress of the girl-child in the community.
Appeal for Assistance
Expressing the need for immediate intervention, Professor Mato beseeched the Kaduna state government and the Lere Local Government Council to lend their support to the foundation’s educational endeavors. He emphasized the pressing need for interventions such as the provision of sporting facilities and the erection of a perimeter fence around the school premises to ensure a conducive learning environment for the students.
Commendations and Commitments
In response, the Emir of Lere lauded the foundation for its noble efforts in empowering the underprivileged and championing the cause of education within the local community. He underscored the importance of granting children access to quality education, particularly those facing financial constraints. Furthermore, he applauded the Governor of Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal, for his unwavering support towards the foundation, despite not hailing from Lere himself.
Governor Dauda Lawal, represented by his Principal Private Secretary (PPS), Manir Umar, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to educational development. He disclosed that over 300 basic education schools have been constructed in Zamfara state in the past 18 months, accompanied by the recruitment of more than 200 teachers to enhance the quality of education. Governor Lawal pledged continued collaboration and assistance to further elevate the educational landscape, not only in Lere but across the entire state and country.
This concerning issue of young girls sacrificing their education for early marriages demands urgent attention and collective efforts to safeguard the future of these vulnerable individuals and promote inclusive education for all.
