Disturbed by the menace of out-of-school children in the country, Beta Nigeria, a movement campaigning for improved education is set to start a campaign on ‘return back to school’.
It said the campaign is essentially to ensure that pupils who dropped out of school are return and to ensure its sustainability.
To this end, it started engaging some stakeholders from civil society and media organisations in a collaborative effort to amplify the demand for education reform – a critical investment in Nigeria’s future stability and prosperity.
As highlighted by Abdulsalam Badamasi, Bëtá Nigeria’s federal lead, during a roundtable discussion in Kaduna remarked that “this collaborative declaration has enabled the organisation to secure a unified commitment from diverse and multiple stakeholders across Nigeria, increasing the demand for better education and fostering government accountability.”
He said it hope to extend its engagement to other critical stakeholders like the traditional rulers, religious leaders, and school proprietors.
He said it is a strong partnership forged by Nigerians, for Nigerians, and plays a critical role in amplifying the voices of civil society and media in achieving more and better investment in education.
Also speaking at the roundtable, Emmanuel Bonnet, Executive Director of AID Foundation, highlighted the timely significance of the campaign.
He remarked, “The Beta Nigeria Campaign couldn’t have come at a better time to provide a platform for stakeholders to prioritize their efforts in campaigning for a single issue around the education sector in Kaduna State.”
Executive Director of Improvement in Respect of Social Status of the Disabled in Kaduna, Dr. Micah Shabi emphasised that, “Beta Nigeria arrives in Nigeria at the opportune moment, perfectly reflecting its name.
“It’s the right time for inclusive education for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), as their challenges in education encompass various aspects—social, political, and beyond.
“As we recognise, education stands as the ultimate solution for PWDs. We are delighted to join forces with Beta Nigeria.”
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The roundtable brought together a diverse range of organizations working in education, including the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), The Aid Foundation, CSO Accountability platforms, and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning Empowerment (AGILE).
Participants engaged in discussions on critical issues affecting education in the region by fostering media engagement and public awareness.
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