The Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (Kaduna SUBEB) says the state government is working with community leaders and relevant stakeholders to address the menace of out-of-school children across the state.

Tijjani Abdullahi, executive chairman, Kaduna SUBEB, stated this in Sabon Gari on Monday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation programme on the enrolment of out-of-school children in the state.

Mr Abdullahi explained that the enrolment campaign began on May 12 under the World Bank-supported Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme.

Represented by Rabiu Idris, deputy director, school management, the SUBEB boss identified some of the stakeholders as traditional and religious leaders, as well as parents and caregivers.

He said others included the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), Parents/Teachers Association (PTA), Non-Governmental Organisations, Edu Marshal, and other community structures. 

Describing education as “the key” to children’s growth and development, Mr Abdullahi pointed out that enlisting the support of community stakeholders was very critical to the success of the 2023 enrolment campaign. 

“We are, therefore, appealing for your support to identify these children and ensure that their parents and caregivers enrol them in school.”

The BESDA desk officer, Kaduna SUBEB, Josephine Michael, said that the state’s Bureau of Statistics had put the number of out-of-school children in the state at more than 500,000.

Ms Michael added that 50 per cent of out-of-school children in the state were from poor and vulnerable households.

She explained that BESDA, a Programme for Result (P for R), was initiated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) with support from the Federal Ministry of Education.

She said the programme began in 2019, with a US$611 million loan from the World Bank, which the federal government gave to 17 participating states as grants. 

According to her, the programme is specifically designed to address the menace of out-of-school children.

Similarly, Magaji Mohammed, community participation officer, Kaduna SUBEB, said that every child had a right to quality education, adding that Kaduna made basic education compulsory for all children. 

(NAN)