In a major effort to improve girl-child education in Katsina State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the state government, has successfully re-enrolled 4,000 out-of-school adolescent girls back into school.
Umar Nata’ala, Acting Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Department of Girl-Child Education and Child Development, announced this achievement during a stakeholders’ meeting on education reform.
The initiative goes beyond re-enrollment, providing over 6,000 girls with training in basic literacy, life skills, and vocational education. Additionally, 400 proprietors of Tsangaya (Islamic) schools have been trained on child protection measures to create safer learning environments.
Special Adviser to Governor Dikko Radda on Girl-Child Education, Jamila Abdu-Mani, emphasized the importance of the program in addressing educational gaps. She noted that data collection efforts have verified 148,252 out-of-school girls and Almajiri children, helping the government plan better interventions.
UNICEF Child Protection Officer, Rahila Manasseh, highlighted sustainability efforts, including the establishment of Community Adolescent Hubs in key local government areas. These hubs will provide continued education, life skills training, and mentorship for young girls.
Local government officials and community leaders have pledged their support, recognizing the program’s role in empowering girls and ensuring they have access to quality education.