Social Values and Insecurity: Surmounting Obstacles to Girl-Child Education in Nigeria; A Sociological Perspective

The apparent intractability of the issues and challenges associated with girl-child education in Nigeria portends great insecurity for the girl-child. This is in spite of noble programs aimed at availing the girl-child and her male counterpart equal opportunities for education. These include the Universal Primary Education (UPE), the Universal Basic Education (UBE) and the Family Support Program (FSP). However, these programs have in common, the top-down approach which excludes the girl-child, parents and the society at large in policy enunciation and implementation. Employing a sociological perspective, this paper explores the options of role modeling, re-socialization and family based education insurance program as avenues towards changing societal portrayal of the girl-child vis--vis her male counterpart. This, it is hoped will impact positively on the girl-childs sense of self worth. It is also aimed at changing societal values about the girl-child and including the girl-child, parents and the society at large in the effective and sustainable implementation of programs aimed at promoting girl-child education in Nigeria.