The Centre for Restoration and Empowerment of Vulnerable and Marginalised People (REVAMP) has called for greater recognition and empowerment of grandparents as key stakeholders in tackling the rising number of out-of-school children in Oyo State.

The organisation said grandparents, particularly those serving as primary caregivers in skip-generation households, could play a significant role in ensuring that children are enrolled in school, remain in school and complete their basic education.

The Programme Coordinator of REVAMP, Dr Ayomide Adebayo, stated this at a two-day community-based event in the Ibadan Northwest Local Government Area, organised to develop practical solutions to challenges affecting children’s access to education.

The event, themed “Grandparents as Education Partners: Co-creating Practical Solutions for Enrolment, Retention and Completion of Basic Education,” brought together grandparents, teachers, School-Based Management Committee members, education officers and development stakeholders.

Adebayo said education policies and programmes must take into account the role of grandparents, who, in many households, serve as decision-makers and caregivers for school-aged children.

She said: “It is pertinent for education policy, programme planning and implementation to acknowledge and consider the role of grandparents, who are decision-makers and caregivers of school-aged children, especially in skip-generation households in Oyo State.”

According to her, empowering grandparents with the knowledge and support required to assist their grandchildren could contribute significantly to reducing barriers to school participation.

The programme, supported by Malala Fund Education Champions, Nigeria and Invictus Africa, focused on the value of education, positive caregiving, child rights and gender equality.

During the first phase of the programme, participants examined the responsibilities of different stakeholders in supporting children’s education, while the second day featured a participatory co-creation workshop.

Participants identified barriers preventing children from enrolling in and remaining in school, as well as challenges confronting grandparents in supporting their grandchildren to complete basic education.

The Education Secretary, Ibadan Northwest Local Government, Mr Ayoade Kehinde, commended REVAMP for recognising the contribution of grandparents to children’s education.

He said initiatives that equipped grandparents with relevant knowledge would encourage them to continue supporting their grandchildren despite the economic and social challenges confronting families.

Kehinde said stronger collaboration among families, schools, government and community organisations was necessary to address the factors responsible for children dropping out of school.

The Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Mr Barnaba Toriola, urged grandparents to make the education of their grandchildren a priority.

Toriola said investing in the children’s education would improve their future outcomes and provide them with opportunities to achieve better lives than their grandparents and parents.

He assured participants that the School-Based Management Committee would transfer knowledge gained from the workshop to communities to strengthen local support for children’s education.

The stakeholders stressed the need for community-based approaches to addressing barriers to enrolment, retention and completion, particularly among vulnerable children.