From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The European Union (EU) in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with support from Jigawa State government, targeted to enroll 80,000 Out of school children in the state through Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP).
This was announced by the UNICEF Kano field Office’s Education Specialist, Mr Muntaka Muhammad while speaking to News men during a One-day Stakeholders’ consultation on the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) held on Wednesday at Tahir Guest Palace Dutse.
He explained that, the objectives of the programme is to provide access to basic education for marginalized groups, equips learners with functional literacy and numeracy skills as well as to prepare learners for further education or vocational training and lastly to promote alternative pathways for Youth development.
According to him, the two years programme will provide 135 centres with 270 facilitators across the 10 local government areas engaged for the Programme.
While commending the EU government and UNICEF on behalf of the Jigawa State government, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic Education Alhaji Baffa Abubakar said, a special priority to education particularly basic education is one of the twelve points agenda of present administration in the state.
He said, as part of effort to address Out of school children challenges, the Jigawa State executive council led by Governor Malam Umar Namadi directed all political office holders to enroll numbers of out of school children in their respective communities.
Mr Baffa Abubakar then, assured state government commitments towards sustaining the Programme after the termination period of partners.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator National Commission for Almajiri and Out of School children Education Alhaji Abubakar Khalil described Out of school children challenges as one of the major threat to Nation development.
Meanwhile the Chairman, School Community Base Management Committee (SCBMC) Commended EU and UNICEF for the effort, and assured their support and cooperation for the success of the programme.
