Student Christian Movement (SCM) Nigeria has called on the federal government to make education across the nation free and compulsory so as to give room for all Nigerians to have access to quality education.

The group stated that education remains one of the most powerful tools for personal development, social transformation and national growth.

Speaking in Ibadan at a press conference to marked this year’s International Day of Education, tagged: “Students Against Corruption Drive (SACD)”, SCM National President, Dr. Adebayo Kolade said education is not mere a privilege but fundamental human rights and foundation upon which peaceful, productive and prosperous societies are built.

The SCM President, who said government must confront the realities facing education in Nigeria, lamented that over time, cost of enrolling new student in public schools has become increasingly high and alarming which continue to exclude children from low income households and undermined principle of equal access to education

He urged the government at all levels to take deliberate steps to make education truly free, accessible and inclusive for every Nigerian child.

He said, “We urged relevant ministries, agencies and stakeholders to review the existing policies, address systematic barriers and do the needful to ensure that no child is denied education due to financial constraints.

“We urged the government to go beyond making basic education free to in addition make it compulsory. We are aware that in some parts of Nigeria, parents still refuse to send their children to school despite the fact that education is free.

“We urged the government to make denying children basic education an offense against the state. Parents who refuse to enroll their children in school should be arrested and prosecuted.”

Reacting to recent uproar by some parents who are against posting their children to security prone areas across the country for their NYSC, Kolade said the government should not post Corps members to where security of their life’s can’t not be guaranteed.

He maintained that safety of the youth should be paramount to the government and not endanger their life with insecurity.

He said, “In as much as we recognize the role NYSC played, no lives of Nigerians is worthy to be lost.

“Many parents have placed their hope on the children, they have invested a lot in them and expecting to eat the fruit of their labour, Nigeria should not expose them to danger.

“The mission of NYSC is not superior to the needs of families of these children, the expectations of parents from the children is very high.”