The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the governments of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states to tackle the escalating education crisis in their regions as part of activities marking the International Day of Education.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Farah described the situation as dire, emphasising the urgent need for reforms to provide children with access to quality education.
Mr Farah noted that, the state of basic education in these states is alarming, with approximately 10.2 million children at the primary level out of school in Nigeria, 16% of whom are from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.
According to him nearly 2.2 million children are out of school, while Jigawa and Katsina states have 337,861 and 536,112 out-of-school children, respectively.
Furthermore, the quality of education is a significant concern, with only 1 in 4 children in Nigeria able to read and understand a simple sentence or solve basic arithmetic.
Mr Farah said; “In Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, the challenge is even more pronounced, with foundational learning rates standing at 11% or lower.
“UNICEF has been working to support the education sector in these states through various initiatives, including: Cash transfers to improve access to education for vulnerable families; Enrollment drives to increase school enrollment and attendance; Provision of school grants to improve access to quality inclusive education; Integrated Quranic Schools to provide alternative learning pathways; Teacher training and support to enhance teaching methodologies and improve learning outcomes.”
Mr. Farah emphasised the need for increased funding for education, stressing that, Nigeria spends only 1.2% of its GDP on education, far below the recommended 4-6%.
He also called on the governments to address the emerging impact of climate change on learning, which has already disrupted the education of over 200,000 Nigerian children.
UNICEF has expressed appreciation for the support of its partners, including the European Union and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
It reiterated its commitment to working with the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states to improve basic education outcomes.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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