A female educator said initiatives towards promoting formal education of girls have to start at home with the parents.
Rukia Ondo Rajab is the Deputy Head Teacher of Wulu Girls Primary School in Lakes State. She told Good News Radio that early and forceful marriages are the main challenge to formal education of girls and usually parents are behind such practices.Ms. Ondo said parents blame culture for early age marriages.
She added that girls are also kept from school by the many responsibilities parents and guardians assigned to them, including household works and babysitting.
Susan Awel Sila, a female pupil who begins her Secondary School this year, confirmed that girls who resist early and forced marriages are usually subjected to physical violence.
She said many parents are interested in immediate returns from their daughters in terms of dowry and many girls comply since God requires that young people respect their parents.
Ms. Awel urged parents to allow their daughters to go to school.
She added she wants to continue with her education.
Caesar Nua John, a male pupil who completed Primary School last year, said girls are married at the age of 13.
Mr. Nua added that he would prefer to marry an educated girl, explaining that women who attended school know better how to take care of the family.
Good News Radio is launching a weekly programme aimed at promoting formal education of girls in Lakes State.