The European Union has pledged €20 million to support the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in implementing an Education and Youth Empowerment initiative across Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto states.
This funding aimed to address challenges in Early Childhood Education (ECC) in the region.
UNICEF’s Education Officer for Kano, Mr. Habeeb Saleh, announced the initiative during a four-day training program on the Learning Lab Approach for Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) held at Tashir Gust Palace in Dutse.
He emphasized that the training, organized in collaboration with the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is aimed to equip school leaders and teachers with essential skills for improving foundational literacy and numeracy among young learners.
According to Mr. Saleh, the project, funded by the EU, will run from September 2023 to August 2027, targeting 1.2 million learners, 5,000 teachers, 150 education officials, and 5,400 community members. He highlighted the initiative’s goal to increase access to safe and inclusive learning opportunities for both girls and boys in the three states.
The project will cover 30 local government areas, with ten areas selected from each state. The training aims to enhance the capacity of ILT members to implement effective teaching practices based on the Learning Lab Approach, which emphasizes hands-on, reflective learning.
Mr. Saleh addressed the current challenges faced by schools in Jigawa State, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy. He noted that many children struggle to achieve the desired proficiency, which impacts their long-term academic success. The training will equip instructional leaders with the necessary skills to foster improvement in learning outcomes.
Additionally, the initiative seeks to strengthen partnerships between schools and communities by involving School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in the education process. Engaging these stakeholders will help ensure accountability and support a conducive learning environment.
Overall, the initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing the educational landscape in Nigeria’s northwest, focusing on sustainable solutions to improve early childhood education and empower future generations.