PROTECTING THE MALE CHILD EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: A PARADIGM SHIFT

Abstract

This study explores the growing educational challenges faced by male children in Nigeria, highlighting a critical but often neglected dimension of gender inequality in education. While significant progress has been made in improving access to education for girls through various global and national initiatives, these efforts have unintentionally created an imbalance, leaving boys increasingly marginalized. The research identifies key contributing factors to this trend, including socioeconomic hardships, cultural norms, rigid gender roles, and the limited relevance of the curriculum to boys' aspirations and interests. Employing Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Freire’s Critical Pedagogy as theoretical frameworks, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of how these factors interact within broader societal systems to affect male-child education. The study emphasizes the urgent need for inclusive policies and practical interventions, such as democratizing educational access, incorporating vocational training, enhancing curriculum relevance, and fostering community involvement. By proposing a paradigm shift toward balanced educational policies and strategies, the research aims to protect male-child education, ensuring that both boys and girls have equal opportunities to contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria.