The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with Save the Children and UNICEF, has commenced the training of 830 community volunteers under the ‘Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC)’ project.

The initiative, aimed at improving access to quality education for out-of-school children and adolescents, is being implemented through the State Ministry of Education’s Project Management Unit.

The volunteers, grouped into 83 community coalitions drawn from nine target communities, comprise traditional leaders, youths, women, and teachers working together to address education, child protection, and school safety challenges in their communities.

Supported by the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), these coalitions would mobilise community action to promote school enrolment and protect vulnerable children.

The two-day capacity-building training for the coalition members is held from July 22 to 27 across the project’s nine local government areas.

The ROOSC project coordinator, Ezra Angai, stated that the training would equip the participants with skills to support vulnerable children, promote school enrolment, raise awareness on child rights, and report abuse.

He added that the coalitions play a critical role in strengthening community systems and driving grassroots development.

According to him, the major component of the training is the introduction of the community action cycle, a problem-solving approach that guides communities through identifying issues, planning, taking action, and evaluating results.

He added that the participants would also learn the importance of mobilising local resources and maintaining accountability through proper record keeping.

Some of the participants from Kaduna North Local Government Area expressed strong support for the education-focused community engagement programme.

Women leader of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) in Malali, Rodah Giwa, lamented the widespread issue of children being sent to hawk instead of attending school.

She said, “We have been anticipating such a programme; many children are out on the streets because their parents send them to sell food items before they can even think of going to school; their future is being jeopardised.’’

Ms Giwa pledged to mobilise other women to support education, saying, “If not for education, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I will support other mothers to bring out their children and ensure they return to school.”

Similarly, the village head of Unguwan Shanu, Nura Ibrahim, who commended the organisers, pledged his community’s support.

He said, “We already have an education committee in place. We are going back to create awareness and ensure the programme succeeds.’’

Also speaking, Zakaria Ogah, described the programme as a “step in the right direction and a source of hope for the future.”

He stated that a society without educated children was bound to fail, adding that he was committed to mobilising those who have dropped out to return to school.

The ROOSC project is an initiative of the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, with support from Save the Children and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The project’s target is to return 200,000 out-of-school children and those with disabilities to school, including over 32,000 pupils in integrated state Quranic, Tsangaya, foundation and neighbouring schools.

(NAN)