The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has renewed its pledge to support the education sector in Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states, aiming to reduce the significant number of out-of-school children in these areas. This was disclosed by Rahama Mohammed-Farah, the UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, during a press briefing held on Friday to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Education (IDE) in Kano.
Alarming Statistics on Out-of-School Children
North-West Nigeria ranks as the region with the second-highest number of out-of-school children in the country. According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, Nigeria has approximately 10.2 million out-of-school primary-level children, with 16% residing in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.
In particular, Katsina State faces a severe challenge, recording 536,112 out-of-school children. Mohammed-Farah emphasized that the issue is compounded by poor learning outcomes for children who are fortunate to attend school.
UNICEF’s Interventions and Commitments
UNICEF has outlined strategic interventions aimed at addressing these challenges:
- Increasing School Enrollment: Mobilizing resources and campaigns to encourage school enrollment.
- Teacher Training: Enhancing the capacity of educators for better teaching outcomes.
- Infrastructure Development: Building and upgrading school facilities to provide a conducive learning environment.
- Provision of Learning Materials: Ensuring schools have adequate instructional resources.
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Introducing hygiene and sanitation facilities and access to safe drinking water in schools.
Psychosocial and Technological Support
UNICEF is also committed to supporting children affected by conflicts and trauma through psychosocial programs, fostering resilience, and ensuring they thrive in a safe educational setting.
Additionally, the organization has introduced innovative digital solutions like the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP). This platform offers over 15,000 curriculum-aligned resources and has so far registered 182,170 children, teachers, and parents. It provides free access to educational content, bridging learning gaps and promoting inclusive education.
Call to Action
Mohammed-Farah urged state governments to allocate and release more funds for basic education to address these critical issues. She highlighted education as a fundamental human right and a driving force behind societal development.
The Bigger Picture
By addressing the education challenges in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, UNICEF is contributing to a brighter future for children in these regions. Their efforts underline the need for a collaborative approach involving governments, communities, and organizations to ensure no child is left behind.
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