Poor parenting, teenage pregnancy behind high out-of-school children – Literacy expert

The Executive Director, Kids Resource Centre, Deborah Mogho is a literacy specialist, educator, and content creator who uses her projects to help out-of-school children build confidence through literacy initiatives and creative skills. In this interview, she speaks on parenting, teenage pregnancy, social media, and other factors adversely affecting children’s education

What’s the idea behind the Kids Resource Centre and Smart Kids Literacy Foundation?

The Kids Resource Centre started on January 19, 2022, after I noticed that many children in Bonny Island, Rivers State, were struggling with reading. This issue wasn’t limited to just primary school children; even secondary school students had difficulty spelling simple words. I began to think of better ways to address these problems, and I decided to start from the foundation. I initially began with six children, between the ages of three and five, by starting a book club that year. I realised that many of them lacked reading materials and resources, so I got some books and began the club in my backyard.

By the following week, the number of children grew to 15, and the week after that, it increased to 30. The numbers kept rising.

As the group grew, we moved from my backyard to a church children’s hall, which gave us more space to learn. Over time, God blessed us with a dedicated resource centre where the children now feel comfortable.

Our mission at the Kids Resource Centre is to empower children, particularly those from underserved communities, to become the best version of themselves through literacy education and mentorship programmes.

We aim to help them actualise their dreams. We believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to quality education, and we provide them with the essential tools they need to thrive.

Our vision is to create a world where children are empowered through literacy. We see education as a key tool in eradicating poverty. Many of the children in the slums are out of school, which perpetuates a cycle of poverty passed down from parents to children.

Something needs to change, and we believe that education is the light that can bring about a break in this cycle. That’s why we are passionate about our cause—providing education and resources to ensure children have access to literacy at an affordable cost.

What are the goals you had in mind for these children before you ventured into this project?

Our long-term goal is to ensure that every child in our community has the right tools and resources to succeed academically. This is why we dream and desire that the Kids Resource Centre can eventually be in every state in Nigeria.

We want even the most disadvantaged child to have access to the basic foundation of literacy. That’s our ultimate goal. I’m not sure what it will take, but I have a deep desire for every child to have access to the Kids Resource Centre – a safe place where they can receive the education they need.

What are the tools and strategies used in achieving these goals?

We initiate programmes that foster educational development. One of our major initiatives is the ‘Read Across Slum’ project, which focuses on young children living in slums.

In these areas, there are over 5,000 children, and I can confidently say that out of five, four have either never been to school or have dropped out.

This is a serious issue, as it poses a threat to the future of our community and society. How can a child grow up without the ability to read or write?

When we started working in those communities, we initially engaged with around 20 children during school hours. However, during our most recent ‘Read Across’ session, we identified 60 more children.

Shockingly, out of these 60, 90 per cent were attending school but still couldn’t read. It was heartbreaking to see that some couldn’t even identify the titles of the books we were about to read.

At that point, our focus shifted to getting these children into our ‘Read Across Slum Academy’, where we could train them and provide the basic tools for effective reading.

Additionally, we run a weekly book club, which gives children the opportunity to read independently.

For those who struggle, we offer a guided reading plan, where someone who can read helps guide them.

If they encounter difficulties with any words, our teachers are always on hand to assist. We conduct this programme every Saturday.

We also run a Spelling Bee club, where children are taught to spell words properly. They are equipped with the right materials and knowledge to become excellent spellers. Some of the children have even gone on to win prizes for their schools in spelling competitions, which is one of our success stories.

You can find all of these stories on our Facebook pages. We train the children to read, write, and spell so they can excel in their school environments. These are the tools and strategies we use to expand our literacy mission, and we are incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made.

How have these helped the children in creative thinking and communication skills, which are essential tools for success these days?

Creative thinking is one of the core areas we consistently emphasise with the children. We provide opportunities for them to write their own stories, regardless of their age. Even a young child of three is shown pictures, and we ask them critical and creative questions about those images.

They offer different perspectives, speaking creatively about what they see. We then gather the stories they tell and compile them into storybooks for them.

We also have what we call ‘Kid Tedx’. To engage the children, you must start with something that interests them. You can’t just begin to talk about Nigeria, you have to start with something they are passionate about, capturing their imagination. As they tell their stories, we follow up with critical questions like, “What happens next?” or “How will it end?”

We also ask them to act out some of the stories from the books. Through acting, they contribute creative ideas to the characters they portray. During Kid Tedx, we organise presentations where they discuss topics they’ve practised, which has significantly built their confidence, communication skills, and creative thinking.

Would you say that social media has adversely affected the reading culture among Nigerian children and youths?

Social media has both its good and bad sides. However, when it comes to young children, I can’t even imagine a child being on social media, yet many parents are exposing their children to it, often for financial gain.

Children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood experience and innocence, but now, they are being exposed to things meant for adults. One major reason why young people are failing exams is that their focus has drifted from academics.

When I was in secondary school, we didn’t have phones. I understand times have changed, but now they spend hours chatting, scrolling through Facebook, or surfing TikTok.

Young children should focus on their academics and engage in activities that build their lives, like leveraging advanced tech tools to improve their careers.

Excessive time on social media leads to the adoption of vices. They start idolising celebrities whose wealth is questionable, wanting to emulate them.

If you want your child to grow into the best version of themselves, it’s essential to restrict their social media exposure until they are mature enough to make discerning choices. At that point, they can choose content that adds value to their lives.

Sadly, there’s little parental control these days, and children are left to consume inappropriate content, which shouldn’t be the case. Social media has negative effects on young children. As adults, we can make informed choices, but parents must help their children focus on developing their creativity so they can shine when they grow older.

Social media also affects the reading culture. Why should a child that is developing reading habits be spending hours on social media, chatting and laughing? This leaves little time for homework, which is designed to make them think, or for chores.

Social media is highly addictive, and parents must limit their children’s screen time. There should be structure in the home, allocating time for reading and chores.

Sometimes, you even see children playing on their tablets on their way to school. How can they focus on their studies when their minds are already preoccupied?

Parents need to engage them in discussions because, as the saying goes, “A child who reads is an adult who leads,” and we know that readers are leaders.

  What are the challenges faced by your centre, and what mechanisms were adopted to address them?

One of our major challenges is funding. However, our passion for the project keeps us going, and we don’t let anything hold us back. We’ve developed sustainable programmes that have been instrumental in addressing this issue.

We partner with schools and individual organisations that support our projects. When we have new initiatives, we write to them, and they always assist us.

Additionally, we create income-generating projects like the Spelling Bee Club and summer camps, where children pay a small token.

Although the fees are minimal, they go a long way in keeping our projects running. We also provide scholarships to children who cannot afford the fees. Some of the people who support us financially are friends and individuals who believe in our cause.

Another challenge is finding volunteers. We have both regular, active volunteers and project-based volunteers. To overcome this challenge, I visit churches and speak to people about the importance of volunteering. Currently, we have about 20 young people working with us on various projects, including top teachers who volunteer to help us expand our cause.

In terms of community-based challenges, poor parenting and teenage pregnancy are significant issues. Many families living in the slums perpetuate poverty because some parents prefer to have their children run errands or sell goods in the market rather than attend school.

Teenage pregnancy is also a common issue, as girls often follow in their mother’s footsteps. These factors contribute to the rising number of out-of-school children. To address this, we go door-to-door, encouraging parents and children to come to the centre for a better future.

We work to convince them that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

How many children would you say have been impacted by the Kids Resource Centre?

Since its inception in 2022, the Kids Resource Centre has impacted over 3,000 children through various programmes and projects.

Nigerian teachers are among the most poorly paid in the world. How can they improve their financial status in this economy?

It’s true that Nigerian teachers are among the lowest-paid globally. My advice is for teachers not to rely solely on their salaries. They should explore side hustles such as private tutoring or conducting both online and offline courses. Additionally, they should continuously upgrade their skills by attending workshops and earning online certifications. Being well-equipped puts teachers in a better position to take on roles such as consultants or school administrators, which come with better pay.

Teachers should also leverage technology. Creating educational content and posting it online can be a valuable source of income. Starting a YouTube channel or blog to share educational videos or ideas can be highly beneficial. Social media platforms can be used to sell knowledge. Teachers can also start businesses related to education, such as bookshops or crèches. The key is to monetise whatever skills or resources you have.

What do you recommend that the Federal Government and stakeholders do to make education fun for children?

To make education engaging, the government and stakeholders must ensure that learning is fun and exciting. When lessons are fun, children retain the information better. A strict, rigid teaching approach won’t capture children’s attention.

A fun learning environment with activities that encourage engagement will enhance their learning experience. The Nigerian school curriculum is often too strict and should be more flexible to accommodate alternative strategies like the Montessori or American curricula, blending these with other workable methods.

Reading should be a daily part of the schedule, and interactive activities like ‘Storytime Lounge’ on WhatsApp, where children learn before bed, should be encouraged.

Schools should establish book clubs where children can discuss what they’ve read with their peers, friends, parents, and teachers.

Many schools currently lack libraries, and those that do have them are often more like bookshops. Child-friendly libraries should be created, with welcoming librarians who make reading enjoyable and accessible.

Ultimately, our goal is to expand the Kids Resource Centre to every state in Nigeria because we’ve seen the immense value of providing children with access to low-cost education. When given the opportunity, children become excited to learn, and with the right resources, we can create a brighter future for them.