Kano State has been identified as one of the primary beneficiaries of a newly introduced education and empowerment program funded by the European Union (EU) in Nigeria. The initiative aims to enhance learning and skills development opportunities for girls and boys in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto states, focusing on providing safe, inclusive, and relevant education.
The disclosure was made by Mr. Michael Banda, the team leader of a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) delegation, during a briefing with the Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Umar Doguwa. The four-year program, which commenced in September 2023 and runs until August 2027, will cover 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) each in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto states.
The program’s main objectives include strengthening education governance and learning, expanding access to safe and inclusive learning environments, and delivering quality, continuous learning with enhanced competencies. It is expected to benefit approximately 1.2 million learners, 5,000 teachers, 150 education officials, and 5,400 community members across various educational interventions.
Mr. Banda emphasized the need to adopt a systematic approach to the education sector, incorporating digital technology training for both teachers and learners. He highlighted the importance of involving teachers, learners, and ministry officials in digital training to transform the education sector.
One potential challenge mentioned is data assessment, particularly in the recruitment of teaching staff, necessitating the establishment of a Teachers Management Information data system. The program also aims to empower education committees, such as Schools Based Management Committee, to strengthen community partnerships for educational development.
Mr. Banda sought the government’s support and cooperation to ensure the success of the program. In response, Commissioner Umar Doguwa expressed gratitude to the EU for selecting Kano as a beneficiary state, assuring full support from the government to achieve the program’s goals. He highlighted the government’s commitment to conducting a comprehensive census of all teachers and applauded the inclusion of funds for Arabic schools’ development and skills acquisition programs.