There was a time when people thought that it was not necessary to educate girls. Now we have begun to realize that girls’ education is essential. Potential girls were wasted in the olden days because they thought girls’ education will amount to nothing but the kitchen (home) but the modern has come to prove this view wrong. Girls are trying to compete with men in every area of life now. There are many people who oppose girls’ education, they say that the proper area of girls is the home (kitchen). So, they argue that the money spent on girl’s education is wasted. This view is wrong, because girl’s education can bring about a silent change in the society. There are some intelligent and brilliant women in the rural area that if education were given to them, they would have been in government or other parastatals directing the affairs, but because their parents did not see the need of girl child educate such intelligent and brilliant fellow end up in the farming or fishing system in the rural areas.
Offering girls basic education is one sure way of giving them much greater power to lead. And also enable them to make genuine choices over the kinds of lives they wish live. Education is one of the most critical areas of empowerment for women.
There is several advantage of girls’ education which includes.
- National Development: Grown up educated girls can play an important role in the development of their country. They can serve the society as teachers, lawyers, journalists, doctors and administrators. They can work at banks, hospitals, government offices and large businesses. They can play an important role during war.
- Helpmeet: Education is a bonus to girls in time of home management. Gone are the days when women are only married for the purpose of recreation and kitchen work. Nowadays, it is difficult for the people of the middle class to make both ends meet. After marriage, educated girls can add to the income of their husbands. If a woman is educated, in case of any unpleasant situation, she can manage the home.
- Comfort and Happiness in the home: Girls’ education is necessary for making our homes happy places. Our home (life) would be brightened if we had well-educated wives and mother. Educated girls can brighten the future of their country by the good upbringing of their children. Education gives a woman freedom of thought. It broadens her outlook and makes her aware of her duties and responsibilities.
- Finance Independent: Education empowers a grown up girl to become economically independent. They will be able to stand up for their rights. They don’t have to depend on a man everyday in their life to survive. Girls have all the rights to get educated.
- Awareness: An educated woman has the skills, information and self-confidence that she needs to be a better parent, worker and citizen. Good education helps a girl make better decisions for her and her family.
- Girls who attended school often have healthier families: These girls are more likely to seek medical help from clinics or doctors. Because they can read, literate women can understand a doctor’s detailed instructions and follow up for help if needed. Education also teaches young ones the importance of keeping herself and her house clean and safe.
- Education enable the girl child to be able to understand more about social, economic, religious and above all issues that has to do with marriage and to avoid broken home and divorce. One of the major matters that are found in court in the rural area is issues of divorce because of high rate of illiteracy and underage marriage.
- Educating a girl child prevent the woman to be subjected to partial (domestic) slavery.
Finally, educating a girl child is a platform that can never be overlook because educating the girl child have make Nigeria to produce some vibrant female leaders which had driven our nation Nigeria in their endeavour to a greater height. The progress of a country depends on girls’ education. So, girls’ education should be encouraged. ###
Edith Nse Friday
08025293937
fridaynse@yahoo.com
