800,000 children are out of school in Jigawa – Lawmakers
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
The Jigawa State House of Assembly, has promised effective and close monitoring to ensure proper implementation of all laws on the enrollment of children into school.
The Assembly said it was unacceptable that more than 800,000 children are out of school in the state.
The Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Sani Isyaku Gumel gave the assurance while distributing uniforms and other schools materials to some orphans and People Living with Disability (PWDs) at Garin Barka village in Gumel Local Government Area of the state.
“The state assembly will give more support and encouragement to the executive arm to provide, teaching, learning and conducive atmosphere in schools, including security, for qualitative and quantitative education, so as to provide minimum basic education to all children in the state.”
“To achieve this, the Jigawa lawmakers have sealed a deal with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 42 percent within the last quarter of 2024, and up to 95 percent by 2030.
“This deal was sealed during our meeting with UNICEF in Kaduna where we had been informed that Jigawa is number eight with higher number of the out of the schools children at the alarming figure of over 700,000 in the state,” the deputy speaker added.
He explained that they had agreed on a strategy to reduce this number by 42 percent in each of the 30 state constituencies.
“I’m happy to tell you that my constituency is one with least number of the out of schools children. They are less than 3,000, and in the past I facilitated the returning of 1, 800.
“Today, we continue with the support as we distribute school materials to children who have recently returned to school and those newly enrolled. This is one of our various initiatives aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children by 40 percent in each of our 30 constituencies,” Sani said.
“I have an empowerment project under which grants and facilities would be given out to my constituents. This us aimed at empowering them to improve their economic status and make them self reliance.
“Those that enroll and retun their children to schools would be the minority to benefit. This is to motivate and encourage them to let the children remain in school,” he added.
In his speech, UNICEF’s Education Manager, Kano field office, Mr. Micheal Banda, commended the lawmakers’ commitment and proactiveness in addressing the problem.
Banda noted that members of the Jigawa State House of Assembly and UNICEF officials have made a commitment over the out of the school children, and agreed to act together to drastically cut the state’s high number of out-of-school children in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“As part of this effort, quality education would be ensured through easy access, teaching and learning materials and security of the schools. UNICEF is giving technical and other support to members of the State House of Assembly. Our target is to reduce the number of the out of school children by 90 to 95 by new enrollment, and bring back those who dropped out at whatever level to obtain a minimum of basic education, the standard of literacy and numeracy as outlined in the SDGs by 2030,” Banda added.
He acknowledged that Jigawa State still faces challenges in reducing the number of out-of-school children, but expressed optimism that very soon thing will take a deserving shape in achieving the target.
“With the current political leadership’s commitment, alongside the support of parents, communities, and other stakeholders, the target is achievable”.
The UNICEF official expressed the need for an extensive media campaign and stakeholders involvement and engagement, as well as massive advocacy and increased funding, in order to succeed.
In related development the member representing Hadejia constituency in the state Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Saddiq Jallo, has organized a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders in the education sector to agree on ways to address the issue of out of school children in the constituency. The meeting was held at Maje primary school, Hadejia.
“We are working to enlighten parents, communities, and stakeholders on the need for collective action to achieve this crucial goal,” Jallo said.
He commended UNICEF for its continuous support in addressing the challenges facing children in the state, particularly in the areas of health and education, and called on other partners to follow UNICEF’s example for the state’s betterment.
The members donated uniforms, books, sandals and bags to 2, 000 school children in the area.
