By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, has spearheaded the enrollment of 8,000 out-of-school children into primary and junior secondary schools across his constituency.
Speaking at Sabuwar Dalam Primary School in Miga Local Government Area, where educational materials were distributed to newly enrolled students, Dangyatin highlighted the focus on supporting vulnerable children.
“Most of these children come from disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans who lacked the means to access education,” he said.
Dangyatin explained that the initiative is part of a larger effort following an agreement between Jigawa lawmakers and UNICEF, reached during a meeting in Kaduna.
The meeting analyzed UNICEF’s report on the state’s out-of-school children, prompting lawmakers to take action.
“Our journey to enroll 8,000 out-of-school children began today with 300 children from Sabuwar Dalam. We’ve adopted strategies such as widespread sensitization on the value of education and the provision of essential supplies like uniforms, school bags, and exercise books to create a supportive learning environment,” Dangyatin stated.
He added that the state legislature had collectively committed to enrolling 40% of the state’s out-of-school children. He praised Governor Malam Umar Namadi for his support and called on parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to join efforts in ensuring children stay in school.
Representing the governor at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim, commended the Speaker’s initiative.
He urged all stakeholders to play their part, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with the administration’s twelve-point agenda, which prioritizes education.
Malam Bala Ibrahim also highlighted key achievements under Governor Namadi’s leadership, including the recruitment of 6,000 teachers, the allocation of 32% of the state budget to education, and the establishment of the Ministry of Basic Education.
This initiative is a major milestone in addressing the challenge of out-of-school children in Jigawa, paving the way for a more inclusive and educated future.
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