The Kano state government North West Nigeria in conjunction with a non Governmental organisation known as Adolescent Health and Information Projects AHIP are putting machinery in motion in strengthening Girl Child Education.
At the Summit with the theme, ‘Towards Strengthening Retention and Completion of Girl’s Education‘, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf informed participants of strides of his administration in revitalising and fortifying the education sector with focus on empowering and retaining girls in the school system towards completion.
Governor Yusuf represented by the Commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa said, “the government is collaborating with European Union EU and other development partners to improve education in the state.”
He noted that, to improve better system, the government would also constitutes Council on Education and Education data bank for effective monitoring.
Recognising transportation barriers, Governor Yusuf explained that, he reintroduced dedicated 57 shuttle buses for girl students in the state to ease transport.
The Governor said; “Within the 8 metropolitan Local Government Areas. We are currently looking at the ministry of Education proposal of expanding the shuttle bus service coverage to reach remote and underserved areas.”
Speaking on lack of schools attendance by students, he said the government would collaborate with Hisbah paramilitary to monitor students who move about the streets during school hours and take action them.
The Director Adolescent Health and Information Projects, AHIP, Hajiya Mairo Bello identified education as the first foundation of life, stressing that “AHIP is determined to promote Girl Child Education not only in Kano state but the entire Northern Nigeria.”
She said other thematic areas of AHIP includes youth Development programmes, Women Empowerment initiatives, Health promotions, life skills training, Community Mobilization and Networking and Gender and Social inclusions among others initiatives.
“Our Adolescent girls must retain and complete their education for Nigeria’s brighter future and economic prosperity,” Hajia Bello said.
She noted that promotion of education is moral responsibility of all, adding that her NGO is ready to partner with the Kano state government and others to advance the course of girl child education.
Also speaking, Professor Ismail Mohammed Zango while presenting findings from a Research conducted on Exploring the Adolescent Girls’ Education in Kano state said, school attendance completion ratio in Kano indicates that boys seems to complete their junior and senior secondary Schools more than the girls in Kano state.
He stressed the need to bridge the gap, identifying critical roles of parents in achieving Girls retention and completion of schools.
Zango also identified poverty as a great factor to school retention and completion of girls Education.
The Chairman Arewa Consultative Forum ACF Kano Chapter, Dr. Goni Umar Farouk called on the business community to contribute to Education and not leave it to the hands of governments a lone.
He also, called on the Kano State government to invest in ICT Education of children as the world is going digital.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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