The Kaduna state government has signed an agreement with UNICEF to fund the “Reaching Out-of-School Children Project” aimed at reintegrating 200,000 out of school children back to the classroom.
Speaking while signing the agreement on Friday at the Government House, Kaduna, the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said one of the challenges facing Kaduna is the increasing number of out of school children.
She expressed dismay that, currently, many children, particularly the girl child and children with disabilities, are excluded from educational opportunities.
She said the partnership is a critical step in the collective efforts towards ensuring that every child in Kaduna state has access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances.
Balarabe said the project aligns with the state government’s 10-year strategic plan on education and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 4 which focuses on inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
“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.
“This project will help us increase enrolment, participation, and completion rates.
“The beneficiaries of this project are both direct and far-reaching.
“We anticipate that over 200,000 out-of-school children will be reintegrated into the education system.
The deputy governor commended UNICEF, for its commitment and support in achieving development goals.
On her part, Cristian Munduate
the Country Representative of UNICEF, 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 the strong and productive partnership with the Kaduna state government. She noted that the partnership has shown committed to reducing the 74 per cent literacy and numeracy poverty rate through the recent launch of the Kaduna Literacy and Numeracy Accelerator (KALINA).
Munduate commended the state government on the recent signing of the contribution agreement between the Islamic Development Bank and UNICEF through the state ministry of education.
“This USD 2.5 million, four-year intervention is a part of the Reaching Out-of-School-Children programme, will empower the state by strenghtening its Education Management Information Systems, enabling data-driven budgeting, planning, and performance monitoring for a more resilient education system that keeps children learning and school”, she said.
She added that “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 state.
She called for continued support for the implementation of the Kaduna State Model Out-of-School Children (OOSC) intervention work plan, led by the State Safe School Steering Committee under the ministry of education.
“By championing this initiative, we can ensure the safety of schools, address key reasons behind children being out of school, and foster a safer learning environment for all,” Munduate said.
