GRESP Coalition Advocates Equal Access to Quality Education
The Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) Coalition Oyo State in conjunction with Invictus Africa, Ace Charity and Onelife Initiative have emphasized the need for equal access to quality education in Nigeria
The GRESP Coalition Oyo state , in a statement signed by its state Coordinator, Mrs Oluwaseun Folajuwon-Banjo Esq., and made available to the newsmen on Friday in Ibadan in commemoration of the 2025 International Education Day said that the day creates opportunity to assess how much has been achieved in the fight for equal access to quality education in communities and to identify the progress yet to be made.
The theme for the 2025 International Day of Education is “AI and Education: “Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.”
The GRESP Coalition Oyo state noted that the theme was apt as it focuses on how education can help people navigate and influence technological progress.
The world is advancing rapidly and Nigeria needs to find her place in this advancement. However, we can only have a say when our education system is in the right place, “it said.
The group noted that the main challenges faced in our education system are the imperfect quality of education given to children in school, the high number of out-of-school children and gender disparities.
“Every 24th of January, we celebrate the International Day of Education. Quality education for all is necessary and its importance cannot be overemphasised.
“Education is the power that puts us on the path of individual greatness and towards the ultimate progress and development of our communities, Oyo state, our nation and the world at large.
“Indeed knowledge is power, and every African who has risen to greatness recognises this. Thus the importance of quality education for our children cannot be overemphasised, “the statement noted.
“The collaborative work of Government institutions, international bodies, community organisations, CSOs and NGOs like the GRESP Coalition over the years to address the impoverished state of education in our society is commendable.
“Nevertheless, we recognise the need for more work to be done.
All stakeholders need to join forces more than before, to improve the access of both boys and girls to quality education, “it said.
The GRESP Coalition Oyo state emphasized the need for relevant stakeholders to work together to greatly reduce the number of children out on the streets and children not in school.
It added that the cry for gender-inclusive education should not be merely about addressing the gender disparities in schools, but also about creating an educational system that supports all students in realising their full potential.
“The UNICEF reports that one out of every five out-of-school children in the world is Nigerian. This is a far cry from where we need to be.
“We recognise that there is economic hardship and high cost of living in the country, but this is not enough to neglect the education of our children.
“We must ensure that every student has access to equal learning opportunities and a supportive and empowering learning environment regardless of their gender.
Our children are our future. We must have a gender-inclusive education to unlock the full potential of our country’s future leaders. The quality of our children’s education, both girls and boys alike, is the foundation of our country’s progress.
“Every child must have the opportunity to attend school and complete their education without discrimination or bias. School curricula must integrate lessons that challenge gender stereotypes and highlight the diverse contributions of both women and men in history, science, and other fields, “the group noted.
The GRESP Coalition Oyo state said that all school teachers, administrators, and policymakers must be equipped with the tools and knowledge including necessary AI skills to create classrooms where all students are respected, supported, and allowed to thrive without gender-based violence and discrimination.
It suggested that local communities, families, and leaders must put hands together to challenge harmful gender norms and support the empowerment of all children in their educational journey.
“In the words of UNESCO, “Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.” All the good that can be achieved through education is only possible through our collaboration, “the statement stated.
