The Benue State Government has begun compilation of out-of-school children as part of efforts to improve child protection and access to education.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare Mrs Theresa Ikwue, made this known when she visited the management of Modern Market, Makurdi, to unveil the exercise.
Ikwue, represented by the Director of Child Development in the ministry, Mrs Janet Daagba, urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the state government’s free Basic one to nine education policy and discourage children from street hawking during school hours.
She said accurate data on out-of-school children would help the ministry design appropriate interventions to improve their welfare and ensure access to education.
Receiving the team from the ministry, the Manager of modern market Mr Terhumba Akpelan, pledged the support of the market management to ensure the success of the exercise.
Truthng reports that the exercise is expected to provide relevant information for interventions aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving child welfare across the state.
One of the children, Favour Ogbaji, expressed happiness over the initiative.
