Kaduna, UNICEF partner to Educate 200,000 Out-Of-School Children

The Kaduna State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to advance the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) initiative. 

This project is designed to deliver high-quality education to over 200,000 out-of-school children across the state.

At the signing ceremony held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on Friday, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe outlined the project’s objectives.

She emphasized that the initiative aims to provide equitable educational access to all children in Kaduna State, irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances.

“This project represents a pivotal moment in our collective endeavor to ensure that every child in Kaduna State has the opportunity to receive quality education, regardless of their background,” Dr. Balarabe stated.

She further highlighted the project’s focus on transforming the educational prospects of out-of-school children, particularly girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents, by offering them a structured path to education and a brighter future.

“Education serves as the cornerstone of a thriving society, and its role in shaping the future of our state is invaluable,” she asserted.

Dr. Balarabe conveyed the appreciation of Governor Uba Sani, who expressed his deep gratitude to the partners facilitating this landmark initiative.

Governor Senator Uba Sani extends his sincere thanks to our esteemed partners who have made this significant event possible.

“Your steadfast commitment to improving the lives of marginalized children in our state is profoundly encouraging,” she said.

She also acknowledged the contributions of UNICEF and other supporting organizations, including the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, and Save the Children International.

“We are dedicated to prioritizing education within our budgets and fortifying our partnerships with entities like UNICEF to ensure every child benefits from quality education,” Dr. Balarabe affirmed.

According to Dr. Balarabe, the ROOSC project aligns seamlessly with the state’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2029) and Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

“The ROOSC project addresses one of our most pressing challenges—the substantial number of out-of-school children, many of whom are girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents. We are committed to leveraging our resources effectively.

This initiative will enhance the efficiency of our educational system through improved management, comprehensive data systems, and robust accountability measures,” she explained.

The project is expected to reintegrate over 200,000 out-of-school children into the education system, while enhancing facilities and learning materials for more than 1.2 million primary school pupils.

Additionally, over 36,000 key stakeholders, including teachers, headteachers, and local education authorities, will benefit from critical training and capacity development.

In concluding her remarks, Dr. Balarabe expressed her profound gratitude to UNICEF and the other contributing partners.

“We deeply appreciate the unwavering support and expertise of UNICEF. Your continued partnership will be crucial in achieving the ambitious goals of this project. The generosity of the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, and Save the Children International highlights the effectiveness of international collaboration in addressing the global issue of out-of-school children.”

She reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to prioritizing education in its budget and strengthening collaborations with organizations like UNICEF.

“Our shared vision is to ensure that every child, regardless of gender, ability, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive,” Dr. Balarabe concluded.