FG Launches Project To Return 20m Kids Back To School

President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of the DOTS project to transform the education sector in the country.

He said the initiative would aid return about 20million kids back to school to ensure the academic security of the nation‘s children.

DOTS is an acronym representing: Data Repository, Out-of-School Children’s Education, Teacher Training and Development, and Skill Development and Acquisition.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, said this in Nasarawa state while performing the ground-breaking foundation laying ceremony of the National Examinations Council offices of Nasarawa, Abia, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Lagos, and River States.

The minister said the initiative would enable the Federal Government to track the progress of students, and collate a clear data-driven mechanism for interventions, especially concerning out-of-school children, girls, and those with specific learning disabilities, among others.

He said, “Out-of-school children represents a major thematic area in the eight points agenda of President Bola Tinubu, with priority focus on social welfare, health and education.

“Mr. President is of the believe that the over 20million out-of-school children we have now, represents a group of Nigerians that we have to pay attention to, otherwise miscreants can use them to cause and foment trouble in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu also believes that for Nigeria to develop and continue to take its rightful position in the comity of nations, those group of over 20million citizens must be returned back to school, and ensure that they get proper education and the necessary skills to make them self-efficient and relevant in the society.” the minister added.

Earlier, while welcoming dignitaries from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and other parts of the country, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education, Muhammed Bala, reiterated the state government’s commitment to continue to support all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government including the education sector.