The European Union (EU) has launched an educational support project called ‘Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities (ABEP) for Children and Youth’ in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
The three-year programme will be implemented in partnership with Save the Children International, PLAN International and DAG in Jigawa, Kano and Sokoto states.
Tobi Ransomed, the Consortium Team Lead, said yesterday (Wednesday, November 13) at a one-day project kick-off workshop in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, that the programme aims to reach approximately 400,000 out-of-school children and nomadic populations.
Ransomed added that women, girls, youth and other vulnerable groups are also targeted with a view to improving their access to quality, inclusive and gender- and-conflict-sensitive education.
She explained that the programme will begin by identifying learning facilitators and centres through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Nomadic Education Commission.
According to her, the overall objective is to bring out-of-school children back into the educational system.
“Part of our activities will involve training master trainers and learning facilitators in the accelerated basic education programme across identified local government areas,” Ransomed added.
In his remarks, Gov. Umar Namadi noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s goal of reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr Aminu Usman, Namadi pledged the State government’s support for the initiative to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children.
Meanwhile, the state team lead for Jigawa, Stephen Sawa from Save the Children, expressed optimism about the programme’s impact, stating: “Jigawa provides a donor-friendly environment in Nigeria to work in.”
Sawa noted that the out-of-school children crisis is a global issue, with Nigeria at the forefront, accounting for 10 per cent of the world’s data, according to UNESCO.
“The number of out-of-school children in Jigawa alone is over 700,000. This figure is alarming and organisations like ‘Save the Children’ are stepping in to ensure these children have opportunities for a better life,” Sawa said.
“If we fail to create opportunities for these children, it will harm the nation’s development. Over the years, this challenge has been a setback, and efforts are now being made to change that.”
He is optimistic that the programme will provide children with literacy, basic numeracy skills and knowledge of their country’s history.
“In addition to literacy, the programme includes skills acquisition, which will help make the children employable or even employers.
“The skills acquisition component will focus on employable job opportunities, looking at the needs in society to encourage self-reliance.
“Education increases a person’s livelihood prospects by up to 10 percent.
“The programme aims to create a productive population. In the end, we hope to see reduced out-of-school numbers, decreased poverty, and a more productive Nigeria,” Sawa was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as surmising.
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