Attitude of Street Children towards Acquiring Basic Education in Selected Local Government Areas of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the attitude of street children towards attending basic education in
Niger State. The study drew 228 sample respondents from the population. Data was
collected using an attitude scale. The study's findings reveal that a good number of the
children showed interest in going to school if there is school situated in their community.
Also, a substantial number agreed they would be willing to quit begging and go to school if
all their financial needs were met. The study concludes that if the government can extend
its attention to the rural areas other than concentrating only on the towns and cities by
providing access to education and giving some palliatives to these street children, there is a
likelihood that the majority of them would quit the street and embrace basic education. The
study recommends that the Niger State and local governments should create a special fund
to prosecute the education of these street children. There is also the need to conduct a survey
of the street children population through a synergy by both the local and state governments.
This would assist in determining where schools should be located