The Federal Government has launched a new National Policy on Alternative Learning Pathways aimed at expanding access to education for out-of-school children, youths, and adults across the country.
The Director of Literacy and Development at the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC), Dr John Edeh, disclosed this in Abuja.
Edeh said the policy, recently unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, was designed to address long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s non-formal education system.
According to him, the initiative focuses on mainstreaming learners, improving certification processes, and creating flexible pathways that allow beneficiaries to transition into higher education or vocational opportunities.
He explained that the policy shortens learning timelines, enabling individuals who missed formal education to complete equivalent learning within three to four years instead of spending over a decade in conventional school systems.
Edeh described the policy as a major reform that could help reduce the country’s out-of-school population while addressing social challenges linked to illiteracy, including unemployment, insecurity, and banditry.
He noted that the policy is already operational and called on stakeholders in the literacy and non-formal education sector to ensure compliance with its provisions.
The NMEC official added that non-formal education provides second-chance opportunities for individuals unable to access conventional schooling due to economic hardship, age, or other social factors.
He also urged federal and state governments, development partners, and non-governmental organisations to strengthen support for adult literacy and non-formal education programmes.
