PREDISPOSING FACTORS TO LIFE ON THE STREETS: THE CASE OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NIGERIA

Education is the key to national development and no development can take place without first developing the citizenry of the country, out-of-school/street children inclusive. The phenomenon of out-of-school/street children in Nigeria has not abated despite the concerned efforts of international agencies and governments to combat the menace. This paper focuses on the precipitating factors to life on the streets with a view to analyzing how non-formal education can be implemented to meet the educational, economic and cultural needs of out-of-school/street children in Nigeria. The study confirms parental poverty, bad state of Nigerian economy, declining interest in schooling, gender preference, migration, unsuitable family environment, child abuse and neglect as major predisposing factors to life on the streets. As the lifestyles of out-of-school/street children are antithetical to the goings on in formal education system, this paper recommends the use of non-formal education which activities can be located close to the life and work of the clientele as the best option for meeting the educational needs of out-of-school/street children. It is believed that this will not only encourage them to learn better and behave well, it will further encourage the participation of others in difficult circumstances to join the non-formal education programmes to be sponsored by government.