Nigerian Association of University Women

Literacy Classes for Deprived Girls in Rural Areas

The national literacy level in Nigeria is estimated to be well below 50% with girls and women forming the bulk of the illiterate.  In rural areas this problem is sometimes compounded by the fact that many girls are not going to school at all.  In Nigeria there is free basic primary education for all, but there are still fees to be paid for uniforms, writing materials etc  In the poorest and most deprived areas there are many families who cannot pay these fees

Members of the Nigerian Association of University Women are working in a rural community in south eastern Nigeria providing classes in English and Mathematics for girls between the ages of 10 and 13 who are no longer in school and who have fallen behind with their studies.  The project will run for nine months and is intended to serve as a "stepping stone", giving basic literacy and numeracy skills to help the girls catch up and to encourage them to go back into the national education system. 

Twelve girls are participating the in project at the moment and all have been put forward by community leaders.  Local leaders, parents and teachers are involved in the project, which is being organised and evaluated by NAUW members.