[FILES] Out-of-school children . (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP)

Human Development Initiatives (HDI) has supported over 400 vulnerable pupils with educational materials as part of efforts to prevent children from dropping out of school.

During the event, each child got a bag, sandal, notebooks, pens, pencils, mathematical sets, uniforms and sundry cost of admission for those entering secondary schools. Blind pupils got Braille.

The Executive Director of HDI, Mrs. Olufunso Owasanoye, said the gesture was aimed at preventing children from less privileged homes from dropping out of school because of a lack of educational materials, and their inability to pay some basic fees, especially for those returning/ entering senior secondary schools.  

“What we are witnessing today is the presentation of back-to-school kits to widows’ children, orphans and People With Disabilities (PWDs). This is an annual event where we give them what they need to be comfortable in school in terms of learning, school bags, exercise books, sandals and mathematical sets.

She said that about 500 children in secondary schools and 70 in federal tertiary institutions across the country were enjoying HDI-bankrolled scholarships.

The Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Wahab Alawiye-King, commended HDI for supporting underprivileged children with the materials, noting that it would contribute to halting out-of-school children in the state.

He, therefore, implored other organisations and individuals that have the financial ability to emulate HDI.