Some families they prefer to send the male child to school rather than the female and this totally wrong. I know of some homes like that and I'm from one of them, my father preferred to send my brothers to school and left we the girls saying we don't need it. I have always loved education and see it as very vital part of development.
My parents couldn't really cater for us so they gave some of us to different people and that was the best choice they made for me and I never regretted it. Leaving with someone else was really great for me because I had the chance to go to school which is something I have always wanted.
Now to the topic for today: what is the education system like in your country?
Here in Nigeria, education is one of the rights of every child. Whether you're a boy or girl, you're allowed to go to school and learn as long you want to. From kindergarten to university and even higher if you want to, the door is always open. We also have technical schools or training centers for those who do not want to go to school, they can learn any skill they want.
The good news is that both boys and girls are allowed to be educated. You can become a doctor, a teacher, a lawyer, or anything you want to be, no matter your gender. In many schools, you will see more girls than boys doing very well, passing their exams and even going abroad to study. This shows that girls are not left behind.
Yes the system allows everyone to be educated, however, not everyone gets the same chance. In some villages or poor communities, you still find children who don’t finish school. Poverty is a big reason, some parents can't pay school fees, but textbooks or uniforms. Some children have to work to support the family instead of going to class.
Sometimes, young girls drop out of school be cause if early marriage or pregnancy. Boys may drop out to learn a trade or because they believe school is not for them. Yes, the law gives them equal chances but life circumstances and situations create limits.
Another challenge is the quality of schools. In big cities and towns, there are better teachers, well equipped laboratories and better learning facilities. But in rural areas, you might find one teacher teaching five different subjects to a large group of students. Sometimes there are no proper classrooms, no chairs, or even chalk to write with. Few years ago I traveled to my hometown and while going to see my grandma, I passed by the primary school and it was nothing to write home about.
Despite all these, some parents are seeing the value of education and pushing their children to stay in school or further their education if they can. Government are trying to build better schools and provide support like free meals, scholarships, or school supplies.
Education opens door for a better future. When boys and girls are given equal chances to learn, our country becomes stronger. We still have a long way to go, but I believe we are moving forward. And for every child who wakes up, puts on a uniform, and walks into a classroom, that’s a step toward a brighter tomorrow.