UBEC Reopens Doors for Dropout Girls, Young Mothers with Rehabilitated School in Lagos

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has launched a significant initiative to reintegrate girls who left school into the education system, with a particular focus on teenage mothers and those affected by poverty. This effort includes the inauguration of a rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls in Lagos.

UBEC Executive Secretary Dr. Aisha Garba announced the renewed push, stating the school provides a "second-chance" for girls whose education was interrupted by early pregnancy, financial hardship, or other socio-economic factors. "A girl who drops out of school should not be regarded as a lost cause. A young mother who wants to return to school should not be told that her time has passed," Garba said in a statement. The institution is designed to enable students to complete their secondary education while simultaneously acquiring vocational skills for future careers and self-reliance.

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A girl who drops out of school should not be regarded as a lost cause. A young mother who wants to return to school should not be told that her time has passed.

Representing the First Lady, Nana Shettima emphasized the critical role of educating girls in national development, urging the students to seize the academic and vocational opportunities offered. Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hailed the inauguration as a "fresh chapter" that restores dignity and broadens opportunities for young women. The renovated school boasts over 26 classrooms, specialized laboratories for agriculture and sciences, and vocational workshops covering areas such as cosmetology, garment-making, and catering. It also features a library and an ICT center.

UBEC is extending this initiative by rehabilitating another Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu, Lagos, aiming to increase access to alternative education. The commission plans to collaborate with state governments and stakeholders to grow these programs nationwide, improve learning environments, and strengthen skills acquisition for girls and young women. The project is expected to create a clear pathway for those unable to continue in conventional schools to return to learning and build sustainable livelihoods.

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a fresh chapter