The traditional ruler of Garki chiefdom in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Usman Ngakupi has called on the federal government to give priority to educating indigent children in rural communities by offering them free education from primary to tertiary institution.
The Sapeyi of Garki who made this call at the formal commissioning and 7th Annual Speech and Prize Giving Day of Greater Kpaduma Community School in Abuja, also appealed to government and privileged Nigerians to establish affordable schools that can accommodate the less privileged children in the society.
The monarch, who also opposed the complete implementation of the Child Rights Act in schools, said it would prevent teachers from effectively teaching morals to their pupils, because such teachings might infringe on the rights of the students according to the Act.
Also, the chairman and proprietor of Greater Kpaduma Community School, Elder Simon Baba-Yerima, said that the school was established in 2015 as a gateway to civilisation in an effort to reduce the rate of illiteracy in their community which cannot be totally accomplished by the government.
“The mission therefore, targeted the less privileged, orphans and vulnerable children accessibility and affordable basic education. We are determined and committed to quality academic service delivery in transmitting excellently to our next generation as bedrock to any responsible society.
“This charity based academic institution started with pupils in both nursery and primary schools with approximately 150 students, while over 30 pupils were placed on automatic scholarship,” he said.
The proprietor while advising parents to educate their children, said children’s education should be recognised by their parents as normal fundamental rights to be achieved, adding that parents cannot afford to deny their children access to education.
Also, the guest preacher at the event, Pastor Jimson Olufuye of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), called on the government to ensure that children are made to adhere to school regulations.
Olufuye also advised the government to put in place machinery to tackle the menace of children refusing to go to school and engage in negative vices, saying that such children should be arrested and become the responsibility of the government.
