Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Monday 2nd September, 2019, sounded a note of warning to parents who keep their school-age children out of school that such parents risk prosecution.
Speaking in Eporo during an enrolment sensitisation campaign, Fayemi called on all parents and guardians to key into his administration’s free education programme, stressing that the state’s Child Rights Law states that all children must be given access to education.
Last week, the Ekiti State government began the school enrolment campaign aimed at ensuring that all school-age children register for the forthcoming 2019/2020 academic session.
The governor said that it was a violation of a child’s right for any parent or guardian to deny school-age children the opportunity to go to school under any guise.
He said the state government was currently providing free but quality education which parents must embrace to build a solid foundation for their children and wards.
“We have a Child Rights Act in Ekiti which prohibits parents from disallowing children of school age to be out of school during school session, he said.
“If your child is not in school when the school is in session, you have a lot to explain because we will apprehend the child whether he is found hawking on the street or engaging in any illicit activities which prevent him or her from being in school, he added.
He explained further that the parents would also have to explain to the government or the relevant institutions why that child is not in school.
“In implementing the law, we have a family court in the state that takes responsibility for children that are not in school and parents who fail in their responsibility,’’ Fayemi said.
The governor said his administration had provided instructional materials, furniture and a conducive learning environment where teachers could effectively contribute to the growth and development of their pupils.
