A strategic work plan to ensure a hitch free take off and efficient administration of the Alternate School Programme has been adopted by the National Steering Committee.
The presentation, consideration and adoption of the report took place during the 4th meeting of the committee, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq commended the Technical Working Group for a detailed report which is expected to help reduce illiteracy as well as the number of Out-Of-School Children, OOSC, in the country.
She stated that the provision of operationalization modalities will go a long way in starting off the ASP.
“I want to appreciate the TWG team for a job well-done up to this point and we look forward to considering their output as a team for implementation.
“I feel it is appropriate to remind us all of what this programme seeks to achieve and why it is of such importance to Mr. President. The partnership between the core MDAs at targeting the problem of OOSC is brought about by the recognition that while Education is a pathway out of poverty, it remains elusive and inaccessible for some segments of vulnerable populations.
“Leveraging on the Ministry’s Social Investment Programmes, a platform is provided for those groups of the vulnerable poor to be able to take advantage of educational opportunities through the ASP and take a first step out of poverty in the long-term.”
She said while the programme in itself was well-intention, it is also ambitious noting that the very nature of OOSC populations, their size and rising numbers in Nigeria and the objectives of the ASP have determined that traditional approaches to educational programmes are challenged.
“I also thank members of the NSC for their continued patience and spirit of collaborative partnership that has encouraged dialogue and sharing of ideas. All members were invited for their unique value-add, and in considering the TWG presentation, I ask that we provide constructive comments to ensure the optimum implementation of the programme across the nation.”
Presenting the report earlier, the Chairman of the Technical Working Group, Dr. Umar Bindir also commended members of the group for their contributions at ensuring that the TWG presents a strategic document for the Alternate School Programme.
“We have made our research and consultations and this report we have come up with will ensure that the crisis of Out-of -school-Children in the country will be become a thing of the past.”
Part of the report reveals that after the Alternate School Programme elapses, the children will be on-boarded to traditional schools for further vocational skills acquisition, on-boarded to relevant National Social Investment Programmes, relevant vocational skills and continued social studies sensitization among others.
