Group Blames School Drop-outs On Parents, Ignorance

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Peoples Encouragers Network,  based in the Niger Delta has blamed the level of school drop-outs in the rural areas on the ignorance of many parents.

The president of the organisation, Mr. Chukwuma N. Abraham  said in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt that the group was embarking on a sensitisation programme in four local government areas of Rivers State to educate parents on the need to check the trend.

Abraham said the programme was part of  efforts by the group to complement the State and Federal Government efforts in the promotion of literacy in rural areas of the country.

According to him, the first phase of the programme will hold in Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Abua/Odual Local Government Areas.

Other local government areas such as, Emohua, Ikwerre and others will also be covered.

He further said that teachers of the affected schools would be sensitised on the need to give serious attention to children under their care.

Meanwhile, the State and Federal Governments have been urged to give adequate encouragement to rural and community based organisations.

The NGO’s president, however, regretted that most rural-based organizations are not being encouraged and listed the groups activities to include, campaign against pipeline vandalisation and kidnapping, especially in the Orashi area as well as the provision of skills acquisition programme to youths in the area.