The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has donated menstrual hygiene kits, safe school supplies, mathematics texts and reading textbooks, to 60 schools in Kano state, northern Nigeria.
UNICEF Kano office Chief, Mr Rahama Rihood Mohammad Farah said that the safety supplies were part of the support to the government in making the school children achieve their potentials goals.
Mr Farah explained that, the menstrual hygiene kits were to help address the needs of adolescent school girls which keeps many out of school.
He said, under the Girl’s Education Project, GEP3, UNICEF supported the training of school-based Management Committee Members (SBMCs) teachers, pupils in Kano and Katsina states on school safety and early warning systems.
Other items distributed are rechargeable torch, plastic whistles, electric bell and first aid kits for emergency and domestic settings to the schools by UNICEF.
On the challenges bedevilling Nigeria’s education sector, the Chief of Field Office, said the incidence of unsafe learning environment epitomized by attacks on schools and abduction of learners, discourage parents from enrolling and retaining their children in schools.
He stated that, UNICEF procured regular resources and trainings are part of assistance to support government make schools safe for children.
Earlier, the Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Danlami Hayyo who was represented by Permanent Commissioner 1 SUBEB, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad said 60 schools across 11 local government areas received 6,000 menstrual hygiene kits, safe school supplies and textbooks.
“The items given to the vulnerable children would go a long way in moving education forward”, he said.
Some of the beneficiaries commended UNICEF for the kind gesture and promised to make wise use of the items.
Confidence Okwuchi