Int’l Day of Education: Foundation, School Seek Improved Education as 30 Children Return To School
The Afeez Olajire Foundation has successfully facilitated the return of 30 out-of-school children to LEA Primary School in Gosa Sarki, Abuja, through a comprehensive educational support initiative. This program, executed in collaboration with the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), provides essential resources such as uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks, exercise books, and coverage of tuition fees.
Afeez Olajire, the foundation’s founder, emphasized the importance of education as an access issue rather than a privilege. He highlighted that many barriers to education stem from financial constraints. The children selected for this program were chosen based on their good conduct and their families’ willingness to return them to formal schooling.
Olajire underscored the foundation’s commitment to support these beneficiaries throughout their education, provided they maintain good behavior and regular attendance. He noted that sometimes it takes only a small push—such as access to education—to change a child’s trajectory from street life to a future of opportunities. The intervention was specifically targeted at Gosa Sarki, a vulnerable community where many parents aspire to educate their children but lack the necessary financial resources.
Head Teacher Nabila Salihu Maigari praised the initiative as transformative, particularly for children who have to traverse difficult terrain to reach school, including crossing rivers from distant villages. She mentioned that financial limitations currently keep over 180 children uneducated in nearby Maweya village, indicating the pressing need for such interventions. Maigari called for greater collaboration between the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to expand educational support. She believes that with stronger partnerships, NGOs can significantly enhance educational services not just within their community but across Nigeria.
In addition to education, the Afeez Olajire Foundation also engages in projects focused on water access, skills acquisition, and vocational training, including culinary courses for youth. Olajire expressed that neglecting education, skills development, and basic needs such as clean water can precipitate broader societal crises. By bridging these gaps, the foundation aims to provide individuals with access to opportunities that can transform their lives.
The foundation’s outreach extends beyond Abuja, with similar projects in regions like Abeokuta, Lagos, and Ibadan. The work is portrayed as humanitarian and non-political in nature. Olajire reiterated that genuine NGO efforts are essential and called for more systematic government support to enhance the impact of such organizations.
Notably, educational reform initiatives by government officials, like those led by Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, have received commendation from various stakeholders within the education sector. Experts acknowledge that updates in technical education, cost management, and university reforms are already yielding positive outcomes for students and educators alike.
The initiative by the Afeez Olajire Foundation is a commendable step toward alleviating educational inequities and improving access for vulnerable populations in Nigeria, demonstrating the vital role of collaborative community-led efforts in addressing systemic challenges.
