The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and regional partners have developed a comprehensive roadmap to revolutionise education in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, targeting key issues including out-of-school children and learning quality.
The strategic plan was revealed at the end of a high-level on the “Education Roadmap and 2025-2027 Priorities’’ in Birnin Kebbi last week. The meeting brought together top education officials, government representatives, and UNICEF experts to tackle the region’s most pressing educational obstacles.
Chief of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, Dr. Michel Juma, emphasised the urgency of collective action. “Education is the foundation of sustainable development,” Juma stated. “We must address out-of-school children, improve access, and enhance teacher professionalism to achieve meaningful learning outcomes.”
Kebbi State’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Bande, acknowledged the state’s ongoing challenges. While noting improvements in enrolment, she highlighted critical issues of student retention, completion, and transition rates that continue to plague the education system.
The roadmap introduces several key strategies, including strengthening the Teacher Management Information System, integrating digital literacy into teaching practices, increasing budget allocations for teacher training, and ending corporal punishment in schools.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi was praised for prioritising education, a critical step in addressing the region’s educational disparities.
The comprehensive meeting drew a wide range of stakeholders, including state education commissioners, universal basic education board members, permanent secretaries, and legislative committee chairs from the three states.
Juma called for a collaborative approach, urging stakeholders to identify state-specific priorities and align them with broader educational strategies. The initiative represents a critical effort to transform educational opportunities for children in northern Nigeria, addressing long-standing challenges in one of the country’s most educationally underserved regions.
Featured image: The Sun Nigeria
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