By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Concerned by the alarming number of out-of-school children in Jigawa State, estimated at around 800,000, the Jigawa State House of Assembly has committed to ensuring stricter enforcement of laws that promote children’s enrollment and retention in schools.
The Assembly aims to reduce this figure significantly, ensuring that every child enjoys his or her right to education.
Speaking at the distribution of school uniforms and materials to orphans, people living with disabilities (PWDs), and underprivileged children in Garin Barka Village, Gumel Local Government Area, Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Sani Isyaku Gumel, underscored the urgency of addressing the issue.
He highlighted that the Assembly is taking proactive measures to reduce the number of out-of-school children, aiming to bring it down to a minimal level.
“To achieve this, the State Assembly will provide more support to the executive arm in delivering quality education. This includes ensuring the availability of teaching and learning materials, a conducive learning environment, and adequate security for schools,” Gumel stated.
Gumel further revealed that the Assembly had reached an agreement with UNICEF to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 42% by the end of 2024, with a goal to bring the figure down to 95% by 2030.
The partnership was solidified in a meeting held in Kaduna, where UNICEF informed the lawmakers that Jigawa ranks eighth in Nigeria in terms of out-of-school children, with over 700,000 affected.
The Deputy Speaker also shared his personal efforts in his constituency, noting that there are fewer than 3,000 out-of-school children in his area. “I have facilitated the return of 1,800 children to school in the past and today, we are continuing the support by distributing school materials to those who have returned or are newly enrolled,” he said.
Gumel emphasized that empowering families economically is another strategy to ensure children remain in school.
He has launched empowerment programs in his constituency, offering grants and resources to families, especially those who enroll and keep their children in school.
UNICEF’s Education Manager, Kano field office, Mr. Micheal Banda, praised the commitment of the lawmakers in addressing the crisis. He acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism that the state’s leadership, along with community support, would bring about significant change.
Banda emphasized that UNICEF, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to ensure access to quality education for all children. The organization is providing technical and logistical support to the Jigawa State House of Assembly to meet the target of reducing out-of-school children by 90-95% by 2030.
To succeed in this effort, UNICEF has called for extensive media campaigns, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and increased funding. Banda remains hopeful that with the continued commitment of the government and support from parents and communities, the goal is within reach.
In a related effort, Hon. Abubakar Saddiq Jallo, representing Hadejia constituency, organized a town hall meeting with education stakeholders to address the out-of-school crisis in his area.
He called on all stakeholders to join forces in ensuring children return to school, emphasizing the need for collective action to achieve lasting solutions.
Jallo, like his colleague, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its ongoing support in addressing educational challenges and called on other partners to follow UNICEF’s example. During the event, 2,000 children received school uniforms, books, sandals, and bags as part of efforts to encourage school attendance.
The combined efforts of lawmakers, international partners, and communities signal a renewed commitment to addressing the out-of-school crisis in Jigawa, with the ultimate goal of providing every child with access to basic education.