Bauchi Govt Vows To End Barriers To Girl-Child Education, Launches Gender Policy
From Muazu Hardawa Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has pledged its commitment to eliminating barriers hindering girl-child education in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim, made the pledge during the official launch and public dissemination of the Bauchi State Gender in Education Policy (2026-2030) and the Guidelines for the School Re-entry of Married and Pregnant Adolescent Girls.
The programme, held at the Education Resource Centre (ERC), Bauchi, was organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the Young Leaders Network.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner said the launch marks a significant milestone in efforts to build an education system where every child, regardless of gender, background, disability or circumstance, has equal opportunity to access, remain in and complete quality education.
He explained that the Gender in Education Policy and the School Re-entry Guidelines demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing longstanding barriers preventing children, particularly girls, from achieving their educational ambitions.
Alhaji Ibrahim appreciated the Young Leaders Network, Malala Fund, the AGILE Project, UNICEF, technical teams and other stakeholders for their contributions to the development of the 2026-2030 Gender in Education Policy.
He called on traditional and religious leaders, parents and development partners to take ownership of the policy commitments and support their implementation within their respective communities.
Speaking earlier, the Bauchi State Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Hajiya Ladi Muhammad Hamma, said the policy and its guidelines provide a framework for addressing gender-based violence and promoting fairness, inclusion, equal opportunities and the protection of adolescent girls.
Hajiya Hamma stressed that empowering adolescent girls through education is essential to improving their life chances and strengthening social and economic development.
She noted that AGILE interventions support girls’ access to quality education, life skills, and the enrolment and retention of girls in public schools.
The Project Coordinator urged stakeholders to incorporate the policy provisions into their annual plans, budgets and school improvement plans.
She also called for the adoption and implementation of the school re-entry guidelines for married and pregnant adolescent girls, strict enforcement of zero tolerance for gender-based violence, and the provision of menstrual hygiene facilities and safe spaces for girls.
She further urged stakeholders to monitor progress using disaggregated data on school enrolment, retention, re-entry and completion.
