UBEC Gives Dropout Girls Second Chance Through Alternative Schools

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to giving girls who dropped out of school another opportunity to pursue education and acquire skills, declaring that no girl should be regarded as a lost cause.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, stated this on Saturday at the commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls in Agboju, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Garba described the school as a second-chance pathway for girls and young mothers whose education had been disrupted by early pregnancy, socio-economic difficulties and other circumstances.

She said the facility would enable beneficiaries to return to learning, complete their education and acquire vocational skills that could prepare them for productive livelihoods.

“A girl who drops out of school should not be regarded as a lost cause. A young mother who wants to return to school should not be told that her time has passed,” Garba said.

She stressed that the circumstances that forced girls out of school should not determine their future or deny them access to quality education.

The UBEC boss traced the establishment of the school to 2007, when Senator Oluremi Tinubu was First Lady of Lagos State, and commended her for sustaining her commitment to girls’ education and empowerment.

Garba said the initiative was also consistent with the education and human capital development priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She commended the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, who represented the First Lady at the event, for her commitment to education and vulnerable children.

She also acknowledged the support of the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for initiatives promoting education, mentorship and life skills among young people.

The rehabilitated school has two blocks containing more than 26 classrooms, alongside facilities for Agriculture, Physics and Biology. It also has vocational training areas for cosmetology, garment-making, hairdressing, catering and home economics.

The institution also features a library and information and communications technology facilities aimed at combining academic learning with practical skills development.

Garba disclosed that UBEC was also working on another Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu, Lagos State, as part of efforts to expand access to alternative education.

Representing the First Lady, Nana Shettima described education of the girl child as critical to nation-building, expressing appreciation to UBEC for rehabilitating and equipping the school.

She recalled that the institution was established to provide girls affected by early pregnancy and other socio-economic challenges with an opportunity to return to school, complete their secondary education and acquire vocational skills.

She urged the students to remain focused and resilient, assuring them that their past experiences should not define their future.

Also speaking, Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event, described the rehabilitation as the restoration of dignity and opportunity to young women whose education had been interrupted.

She said educating a girl had benefits beyond the individual, as it strengthened families, communities and the wider society.

The intervention comes amid efforts to strengthen alternative pathways for children and young people who cannot continue through the conventional education system.

With academic, ICT and vocational facilities available at the rehabilitated school, beneficiaries will be able to pursue secondary education while developing practical skills that can improve their economic prospects.

Garba assured that UBEC would continue to work with state governments and other stakeholders to expand alternative education and improve learning environments for girls and young women across the country.

She said the commission remained committed to creating opportunities for children whose education had been disrupted to return to learning, acquire relevant skills and contribute meaningfully to national development.