Participants from an interactive session with CSOs, on girls education initiatives and projects at three piloted local government areas in Kano, have called for more concerted efforts, in the nine year continuous basic education to achieve the desired objectives.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the interactive session, a lecturer with the department of adult education and community development Bayero University Kano, who doubles as coordinator CSACEFA, Dr. Auwal Halilu said, there is the need for government and relevant stakeholders, to put heads together to curtail problems associated with the scheme.
He noted that, most parents lack the knowledge about the new system of education which has hindered girls enrollment in some communities.
Dr. Halilu however stressed that, some participants observed lack of teachers to cater for students as junior secondary schools were moved to SUBEB, which necessitated the need for more teachers for the successful implementation of the transition program.
Also speaking, a member of Girls Education Partnership (GEP), and a lecturer with Federal Colleges of Education Kano, Hajiya Hadiza Sani Gadanya called on government to add more shuttle buses for girls education in the state.
She highlighted that, the state government had renovated seventeen buses for female students, saying that increasing the number of vehicles would go a long way in boosting punctuality, security and conducive learning environment.
Speaking on successes achieved by the coalition, Co-chair girls education partnership (GEP), Hajiya Mairo Bello noted that, the meeting was organized to connect with representatives of the partnership, from the pilot local government areas to track and follow up on GE projects.
She stressed that, each pilot local government , provided enrollment and transition data which was deliberated during the interactive session.
A volunteer from Kunchi local government area, Jamila Musa explained that sustained advocacy is needed to enlighten parents on the importance of girls education.
She lamented low turn out of students at the female adult education unit, established at Kano college of arts Kunchi, where students receive free application forms and subsidized registration fees for NCE and diploma.
Jamila pointed out that, as volunteers they work in collaboration with GEP, ‘Yandadi youth group to track GE projects, constituency projects and interventions, in addition to coaching female students to uplift educational standards.
Speaking, state partnership facilitator, Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL), Hajiya Hajara Suleiman said the interactive session was organized, to share update, experience and identify strategies for further engagements on implementation of GE intervention and projects across Kunchi, Rogo and Warawa.
Participants from the three pilot LGAs Alhaji Sani Shuaibu, Sardoh Iliyasu ‘Yandadi, and Asslamiyya Abdullahi listed GE schools that have received interventions and philanthropic assistance in various capacities.
Radio Nigeria reports that, partnership to Engage Reform and Learn is a governance program funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).
KHADIJAH ALIYU