Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has raised issues regarding the high number of dropouts in the country, especially among female students. She stated that the outcome inspired her to brainstorm solutions to meet the educational needs of that particular group of individuals. Mrs. Tinubu shared during the turning-of-the-sod ceremony at the Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo, Osun State on April 23, 2024, that her drive to create this initiative stemmed from a long-time desire.
The desire is to provide a second chance for young girls and women who had to leave school prematurely because of unexpected pregnancies, societal constraints, or economic hardships. During the time of her husband, President Bola Tinubu, as Governor of Lagos State, the First Lady played a key role in suggesting and implementing the creation of an Alternative High School for Girls, a concept that was embraced by the Lagos State Ministry of Education in 2007.
Osun State was designated as the location for the school.
She emphasized the deep impact caused by the significant problem of high rates of girls dropping out of school due to unplanned pregnancies. She stated that the repercussions would not only influence the lives of those directly affected but would also lead to socio-economic consequences for the nation. By random selection, Osun State was designated as the location for the school, according to her. She also praised the governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, for generously providing land for the project.
During her husband’s tenure as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, she proposed and implemented the creation of an Alternative High School for Girls. This idea was embraced by the Lagos State Ministry of Education in 2007 and the school is still operating successfully to this day. As an educator and lifelong teacher, her drive comes from the hope of giving young girls and women a second opportunity to finish high school, gain higher education, and develop important life skills.
Her goal is to help them achieve their full potential in life.
Thus, this motivation arises from seeing individuals who left school because of unexpected pregnancies, cultural obstacles, financial constraints, and other challenges. Her goal is to help them achieve their full potential in life. Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, outlined additional information on the school’s operations. He mentioned that upon finishing construction, the school will feature facilities for hands-on entrepreneurial training in various vocational fields such as Fashion Design, Tailoring, Home Economics, and Catering.
Also, the laboratory would be outfitted with desktop computers and tablets in order to teach digital skills to all students, allowing for increased access and use of digital tools and resources. Apart from that, the school also offers fully furnished and equipped classrooms, as well as a designated play area for young children in the Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) program. It is anticipated that female students attending the school will have nursery-aged children accompanying them.
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He believes that the facility is not just a place for mothers to focus on their program, but also a space where young children can be motivated to develop their learning skills and receive the necessary support to succeed in their academic journeys. He stated that the school will also feature additional amenities such as a cafeteria, medical facility, faculty lounges, and administrative offices to create a positive atmosphere for education and facilitate the teaching and learning process. Governor Adeleke enthusiastically expressed his backing, stating that the state is currently experiencing a complete overhaul, with a strong focus on empowering women at the forefront of his governmental priorities.