Educating the girl-child as a basic necessity

Unarguably, today’s girl-child will be a mother tomorrow. And as a mother, she will be expected to give her own child a sound nursing and proper upbringing. Educating the girl-child is therefore a system of seed-sowing that gives rise to a good family. Unfortunately, many parents, especially those in rural areas, still see the education […]

Unarguably, today’s girl-child will be a mother tomorrow. And as a mother, she will be expected to give her own child a sound nursing and proper upbringing. Educating the girl-child is therefore a system of seed-sowing that gives rise to a good family. Unfortunately, many parents, especially those in rural areas, still see the education of the girl-child as a waste of time and money, arguing that she would end up in a husband’s house where she is often expected to raise children. Poverty and illiteracy are other reasons why some people don’t send their girl-children to school.
The truth remains that educating the girl-child is a necessary ingredient for producing an informed generation for a better society that is full of good virtues and free from useless superstitions. No wonder Napoleon said, “Give me good mothers and I will give you a great nation.” If mothers are very crucial, it therefore means that the girl-child should be given the necessary education for even and sustainable development.                 
Unfortunately, it is on record that the northern part of Nigeria has the highest number of girls who are denied the right to education. As a result of the high level of illiteracy and poverty in this part of the country it is believed that western education would destroy the lives of the female children. It is time the people understood that the society will be a better place when the girl-child is properly educated. May God help us.
Pupwaya Timothy Dibal, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri