The Girl-Child in Nigeria and Right to Quality Education

Abstract

Quality education brings about quality manpower which is a condition necessary for the development of any society. A lot of policies and pronouncements have been made on the right of the Nigerian child to quality education. But these seem not to be sufficiently matched with appropriate action. This study examined critically the concept of quality education and the right of the girl child to such education in Nigeria. It argued that the indices of quality education which include relevance, efficiency and essence are yet to be fully realized, due to inadequate human, physical and financial resources. It further observed that even where there are considerable provisions for the education of the girl-child in Nigeria, the education is neither qualitative nor treated as a right to the girl child. The paper, however, recommended some measures to achieve the genuine desire of the nation on the girl child education. Hence, it called for a comprehensive education system that will be practiced. It also endorsed full and uncorrupt implementation of the Universal Basic Education Programme in Nigeria, among others.

The Nigerian Journal of Guidance Counselling Vol. 10 (1) 2005: pp. 41-50