ACCESS, EQUITY AND QUALITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN THE FACE OF INSECURITY IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA

This article examines the effect of insecurity on access, equity and quality of early childhood education in northwest Nigeria. Early childhood education program is now regarded as the foundation for children’s development and the key to the success of the education system in Nigeria. The National Policy on Education (FRN 2013) has clearly spelt out objectives of early childhood education (ECE) and guidelines to be taken by government to achieve the goals of the ECE scheme. This article argues that despite the importance of ECE, many children in Nigeria, specifically in the northern region, are denied access to quality ECE due to reasons such as insecurity and poverty. This article identifies destruction of schools and displacement of families as some of the challenges facing the education of children in conflict affected areas of northwest Nigeria. The article also discusses the consequences of insecurity on the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of young children. The article asserts that ensuring access, equity and quality of ECE is crucial for promoting peace, stability and economic development in Nigeria in general. The article suggests that policy makers and stakeholders in education should ensure that safe, inclusive and quality ECE is provided in security challenged communities in northwest as well as other parts of Nigeria.