As global attention focuses on the critical issue of girl child education, NewGlobe participated in the International Conference on Girl Child Education, organized by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF). This summit brought together key stakeholders from Nigeria and the international community for two days to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding girl child education.
According to data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), approximately 20 million Nigerians—60% of out-of-school children—are girls, with over 10 million of them coming from the Northern region of the country. UNICEF reports that 7.6 million girls are currently out of school in Nigeria: 3.9 million at the primary level and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level. More than 50% of girls do not attend school at the basic education level, with 48% of out-of-school girls situated in the Northwest and Northeast. Alarmingly, about 1 million girls drop out between the first and last years of primary school, and another 600,000 transition from primary to junior secondary school. Furthermore, at least 1 in 4 girls are forced into early marriage, a statistic that escalates in the Northwest, reaching 39%.
The International Conference on Girl Child Education aimed to spotlight innovative strategies and partnerships to close the gender gap in education. NewGlobe, renowned for its transformative education programs, played a significant role in these discussions.
NewGlobe’s Impact on Education
NewGlobe, a global leader in education, has implemented widely recognized solutions that transform the landscape of basic education worldwide, including in Nigeria. Their holistic methodology incorporates learning technology platforms designed to ensure literacy and numeracy at each child’s individual learning level, rather than merely at grade level. This approach has proven to be a game changer for children of all genders and socio-economic backgrounds, resulting in significant improvements in learning outcomes.
By partnering with visionary government leaders, NewGlobe’s methodologies are currently being utilized in several states, including Lagos (EKOEXCEL), Edo (EdoBEST), Kwara (KwaraLEARN), and Bayelsa (BayelsaPRIME). A comprehensive two-year study conducted by Harvard professor and Nobel Prize winner, Prof. Michael Kremer, found that children in rural communities participating in NewGlobe programs achieve 54% more learning in school. This means that primary students in NewGlobe partner programs are nearly a full year ahead of their peers in schools employing traditional teaching methods, regardless of gender or socio-economic status.
Call to Action
Speaking at the summit, Dr. Soji Akinyele, NewGlobe Nigeria’s Group Managing Director, praised the event organizers and highlighted the pivotal role the conference could play during this watershed moment in Nigeria. He urged education decision-makers to explore scalable and viable models of foundational learning and basic education to ensure every girl child in Nigeria has access to quality education.
Dr. Akinyele stated, “Together, through innovative localized solutions and the determination of leadership, we can unlock the potential of every Nigerian girl, and in doing so, unlock the potential of our dear country, Nigeria.”
NewGlobe’s commitment to advancing girl child education reflects a broader movement toward fostering equality and opportunity in education, which is essential for Nigeria’s future development.