Group tackles out-of-school children with ‘Schoolbag Campaign’

To address the rising case of students dropping out of school in the country, a non-governmental organisation, The Articulates, has begun a campaign in Lagos to get them back to school.

Speaking at the event held at Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi, Convener, of the ‘Schoolbag campaign,’ Idowu Akinmoye, expressed concern over the alarming rate of children dropping out of school.

Akinmoye said the campaign is aimed at “helping students discover and develop their educational, vocational and psychological potential. Such discovery would prepare them to achieve optimal levels of personal happiness and social usefulness. Hence, this programme is designed to promote students’ self-understanding, direction, and decision making in a social and acceptable manner to build up their life skills.’’

He said the group started the campaign when it discovered that many students, especially those in public schools, believe the school system is a scam, which has led to many dropping out.

“We don’t want students to drop their school bags and become dropouts. At the same time, we want to ensure that those who are already out are brought back to school,” he said.

General Manager, of Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority, Mr Daisi Osho, enjoined the students to stay in school and learn impactful things that would make them succeed.

Another guest speaker and proprietor of Adams College, Oshodi, Mr Adebola Adams, advised students not to buy into negative narratives about education, warning that dropping their bags is disastrous and capable of limiting their future achievements.