The Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) has inaugurated a Juvenile Education Programme (JEP) to provide comprehensive learning opportunities for children in juvenile detention facilities across Lagos State.
The launch event took place at the Special Correctional Centre for Boys in Oregun, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
Speaking at the launch, CELSIR’s Executive Director, Joke Aladesanmi, emphasized that the programme aims to reform the juvenile justice system in Nigeria by prioritizing education.
She highlighted that the initiative seeks to provide consistent and accessible education to break the cycle of recidivism among children in correctional centres.
“Education gives hope, and our goal is to ensure that it is available, accessible, and consistent for children in juvenile centres, thereby breaking the cycle of recidivism,” Aladesanmi said.
“Recent reports indicate that over 60% of juveniles in Nigerian detention facilities have not completed basic education, trapping them in a cycle of poverty and crime.
The Nigerian Child Rights Act of 2003 affirms every child’s right to free, compulsory education, a principle that JEP aims to uphold.”
She added that the initiative focuses not just on academics but on the holistic development of the young individuals.
The programme will leverage technology to offer virtual classrooms led by experienced educators, with a curriculum tailored to meet the unique needs of justice-involved youth.
The Director of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Oluwatoyin Jaiyeola, pledged the Ministry’s support for the initiative, promising necessary resources to foster both academic and personal growth for the children in detention.
Retired Justice Sherifat Solebo reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the success of the programme, urging stakeholders to contribute to its long-term sustainability.
The programme, according to CELSIR, aims to provide these children with the tools to envision a brighter future beyond the walls of their detention.
