Deputy Governor of Kaduna, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe has said 200,000 out-of-school children will be returned to school within the shortest possible time.
She made this known at the signing agreement between the Reaching out-of-school project in Kaduna (ROOSC) and the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim, Government House, Kaduna on Friday.
She noted that this partnership marks a crucial step, “In our shared commitment to ensuring that children in Kaduna State have access to quality education irrespective of their circumstances.
” Our esteemed Governor, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, extends his heartfelt felicitations to our esteemed partners who have made this historic event a reality. He is deeply encouraged by your unwavering dedication to transforming the lives of under-served children in our beloved State.
“Education is the foundation of every prosperous society, and its importance in shaping the future of our State cannot be overstated. The ROOSC project directly addresses one of our most significant challenges, the high number of out-of-school children, many of whom are girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents.
This initiative according to her seeks to transform that narrative by providing these vulnerable children with a pathway to education, opportunities, and a brighter future.
To this end, she said,’ This project aligns with our Kaduna State Education Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2029) and echoes our commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Our focus is to create access and improve the quality of teaching and learning, enhance infrastructure, and strengthen the systems that underpin our education sector.
“The impact of this project will be both direct and far-reaching. We anticipate that over 200,000 out-of-school children will be reintegrated into the education system, while more than 1.2 million primary school pupils will benefit from better facilities and learning materials.
In addition, over 36,000 key stakeholders, including teachers, head teachers, and local education authorities, will receive vital training and capacity development.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to UNICEF, our long-standing and trusted partner. Your unwavering support and expertise will be instrumental in helping us meet the ambitious goals set for this project.
“The systems-strengthening component of this project, including budget analysis, data system improvements, evidence-based planning, and the empowerment of school-based management committees (SBMCs), will be critical in ensuring that our resources are used effectively and transparently.
“We also recognize and appreciate the generous contributions of our other partners, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Education Above All (EAA), and Save the Children International (SCI). Your support underscores the power of international cooperation in addressing the global challenge of out-of-school children.
In her remarks, the Country Representative of UNICEF, Cristian Munduate said, through the collaboration, 49,000 children have been successfully enrolled into the Nigeria Learning Passport, which is significantly expanding access to quality education for children across Kaduna State.
She said, UNICEF greatly values its strong and productive partnership with Kaduna State government noting that, the State has shown commitment to reducing the 74% literacy and numeracy poverty rate through the recent launch of the launch of the Kaduna Literacy and Numeracy Accelerator (KALINA).
“We congratulate your government on the recent signing of the Contribution Agreement between the Islamic Development Bank and UNICEF through the Kaduna State Ministry of Education.
This USD 2.5 million, four-year intervention is a part of the Reaching Out-of-School-Children programme and will empower the state by strengthening its Education Management Information Systems, enabling data-driven budgeting, planning, and performance monitoring for a more resilient education system that keeps children learning and in school.
“UNICEF is immensely proud to be a partner to Kaduna State. The support and access provided by your administration have been crucial as we continue to work together in raising awareness and advancing key initiatives in health, nutrition, child protection, education, and hygiene practices, all for the benefit of the children of Kaduna.
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