UNICEF, MTN Foundation commission child-friendly school
By Mary Akparanta
MTN Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF, recently added the Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Orile Oshodi, Lagos to its list of Child Friendly School initiative (CFSI) project.
With schools such as Duwo primary school, Bauchi state, Abuanor Primary school, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta state also benefiting from the scheme, the project is targeted at creating a conducive environment for nursery and primary school pupils, by upgrading the physical structure of the school in addition to making available appropriate furniture and facilities required for effective learning.
At the commissioning ceremony held at the Local Government Nursery and Primary School, Orile Oshodi recently, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Mrs. Nonny Nduka-Eze disclosed that MTNs passion for improving the lives of Nigerians by striving to assist the government in this regard was the reason why the company became the first telecommunication company to devote one percent of its profit after tax to implementing social projects that are intended to positively affect the lives of millions of people across the country.
The Chief Communication (Media & External Relations) UNICEF, Ms Paula Fedeski revealed that nearly five million children of primary school age in Nigeria, accounting for nearly 20 per cent were not enrolled in school. Over 60 per cent of them are girls.
According to her, while the goal is to keep the children in school irrespective of their sex, Òthis building is an example of what happens when organizations combine their expertise and their love for their community. ItÕs what UNICEF calls Ôchild friendlyÕ and that means that the grounds are safe for children, thereÕs no refuse children can hurt themselves on, and no garbage for malaria mosquitoes to breed in. ThereÕs proper sanitation for girls and for boys so they can stay in school in dignity and in health. The classrooms are big and light with enough air circulation and there are comfortable desk and chairsÓ.
With teachers and administrators also being trained to protect the children from harm, bullying and assaults, she added that the idea of the initiative was to promote studentsÕ creativity, self esteem and respect for their views. Fedeski also affirmed that a child friendly school is where everyone in the school treats children who are different from the rest with the same consideration as the others without discrimination.
She said, Ò Around 50 per cent of pupils in Nigeria drop out of primary school before primary 6, the majority of whom are girls and then only 30 per cent transit to Junior Secondary. Dropping out of school is not just one of those things that kids do. ItÕs dangerous. Statistics show that it puts children at the risk of taking life threatening jobs and life wrecking decision. Dropping out of school decides and dulls the course of their future and that of their families too.
ÒIt is UNICEFÕs ardent hope that this school and every school in Nigeria will be child friendly in its approach to children and well as in its bricks and mortar. The child friendly school initiative has been the cornerstone of the Government of Nigeria efforts to achieve Universal Basic education since the year 2000.
Representing the Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, the Chairperson of the state Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu said, ÒI commend MTN foundation and UNICEF for this noble gesture and I call on all those who have the means but have not responded to the initiative to please do so,Ó she said.
An obviously elated Head teacher of the school, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Anyira described the school as the best in the community since the intervention by MTN Foundation and UNICEF . Ò Enrollment has increased as parents now remove their children from other schools to ours. I appeal to the donors to extend the project to other schools so that they too can benefit from what our children are getting here. We are proud to say we are now offering more than what some private schools are offering in this communityÓ.
