In order to a build a brighter educational future for children of Kaduna State, the State government has partnered with United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) in a programme to take over 200,000 out-of-school children back to school in the State, with over 1,000,000 primary school pupils to benefit from improved school facilities and learning materials and 36,233 teachers, head teachers, and others to benefit from training and capacity development.
Speaking earlier today, Friday, September 6, at the signing of the Contribution Agreement between UNICEF and Reaching Out-of-School Children Project in Kaduna State, the State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe noted that “this partnership is a critical step in our collective journey towards ensuring that every child in Kaduna State has access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances.”
“Education is the bedrock of any prosperous society, and the importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. The Reaching Out-of-School Children Project is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges we face: the high number of out-of-school children in our state,” the Deputy Governor stressed.
“Currently, many children, particularly girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents, are excluded from educational opportunities. This project aims to reverse that trend and bring about transformative change.
“The Reaching Out-of-School Children Project is aligned with our Kaduna State Education Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2029) and reflects our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
“We anticipate that over 200,000 out-of-school children will be reintegrated into the education system. Additionally, 1,273,222 primary school pupils will benefit from improved school facilities and learning materials, while 36,233 stakeholders, including teachers, head teachers, and local education authorities, will benefit from training and capacity development.
“The project focuses on creating access, enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, improving school infrastructure, and strengthening the systems that support the education sector.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to UNICEF, our trusted partner, for their commitment and support in helping us achieve these goals. UNICEF’s role in designing and implementing the systems strengthening component of this project will be crucial, particularly in areas such as budget analysis and tracking, data system strengthening, evidence-based planning, and strengthening school-based management committees (SBMCs).
“These systems will ensure that our resources are used effectively and transparently, and that we continue to monitor and improve the performance of our education sector.This project would not have been possible without the generous funding from the our partners, including the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Education Above All (EAA), and Save the Children International (SCI).
“Their support reflects the importance of international cooperation in addressing the global challenge of out-of-school children.While we are proud of the progress we have made, we recognize that more needs to be done to achieve our 10-year Education Strategic Plan (2019-2029).
“Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, we cannot help but ask for more. While your technical support has been outstanding, we ask that UNICEF consider doing even more—not just in the area of technical support but also in terms of increased funding. The challenges we face in addressing the issue of out-of-school children are immense, and additional financial resources will help us make greater strides in expanding access, improving infrastructure, and enhancing learning outcomes across the state.
“We must continue to prioritize education in our budgets and deepen our partnerships with organizations like UNICEF. Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of gender, ability, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
“I would like to reiterate our government’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education for all. We are confident that with this partnership, we will move closer to achieving our vision of an inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Kaduna State.
“Allow me to highlight the key objectives of the project:Equitable Access and Participation: We are committed to ensuring that every child, particularly out-of-school children and children with disabilities, have access to quality education. This project will help us increase enrolment, participation, and completion rates.
“Effective Teaching and Learning: By improving the quality of teaching in targeted primary schools and learning centres, we aim to provide our children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
“Conducive Learning Environments: Safe and secure learning environments are essential for our children’s well-being and academic success. This project will improve infrastructure, making our schools more conducive to learning.
“Strengthening System Efficiency: To ensure value for money, the project will enhance the efficiency of our education system through better management, stronger data systems, and improved accountability.The beneficiaries of this project are both direct and far-reaching.”
