A joint mission led by the Reaching Out-of-School Children project conducted an extensive assessment of education interventions in Kaduna on Wednesday.

It was carried out in collaboration with UNICEF, the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, the Qatar Fund for Development, the federal ministries of finance and education, the Kaduna Ministry of Education, and Save the Children International, among others.

The mission aimed to evaluate the integration of out-of-school children into formal education and assess the construction and rehabilitation of learning facilities across targeted communities.

The team visited LGEA Nursery and Primary School, Hayin Banki, Kwanan Bishara in Rigasa, Unguan Maicibi 1, and Madaratu Muhammadu Rabilu Lit Tahfizil Qur’an in Hayin Na’iya.

They also inspected Madaratu Ihya’i Siradil Mustaqeem nursery, primary, secondary, and Islamiyya community school in Badarawa, reviewing the mainstreaming of children and the progress of infrastructure.

Ezra Angai, ROOSC project coordinator in Kaduna, said the visit was part of a joint supervision mission where global and national partners monitor implementation progress and address challenges.

Mr Angai explained that since April 20, partners have held presentations and engagements, with participation from IsDB, GPE, UNICEF, Save the Children, and federal ministries, alongside virtual contributions from KFAED, among other development partners.

He said the education commissioner opened the mission, reaffirming Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to delivering practical and impactful education reforms.

At Kwanan Bishara, Rigasa, Igabi LGA, Mr Angai said nine classrooms are under construction, including a three-classroom block and a two-storey six-classroom block, alongside administrative offices and sanitation facilities.

He noted the project originated from a community request, describing it as a clear example of government responsiveness and community-driven development.

Vanessa Lee, UNICEF’s chief of education in Nigeria, said the agency supported system strengthening, including teacher capacity, school management committees, and digital data systems to track children.

She added that UNICEF works closely with the ministries of education, finance, and planning to ensure that all system components function together to improve learning outcomes.

Dorian Gay, the senior country programme officer at GPE, said the mission observed new construction and rehabilitation efforts to improve learning environments.

He noted that ongoing renovations would reduce overcrowding, such as 70 pupils per classroom in some schools, to about 40 pupils per classroom.

Mr Gay highlighted Kaduna’s proactive reforms, addressing the needs of Almajiri children, girls, and other excluded groups through infrastructure, materials, and community engagement. He stressed that tackling out-of-school challenges requires not only education provision but also addressing poverty and broader social factors.

Jane Mutua, the deputy country director of Save the Children International, said the organisation is both implementing and funding parts of the programme. She described progress as significant but insufficient given the scale of need, noting a target of 100,000 children, against about 200,000 currently out of school.

Ms Mutua urged communities to enrol children and ensure retention, restating that education provides protection and enables children to achieve their potential.

(NAN)