The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in Zamfara State has called on parents and guardians to take advantage of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme to enroll and retain adolescent girls in school, as part of ongoing efforts to promote female education in the state.
The call was made during a town hall sensitization meeting held in Maru and Bungudu Local Government Areas, which focused on transition into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) and Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1), as well as discussions on social and environmental issues affecting girls’ education.
Addressing the participants, the leader of the AGILE delegation, Hajiya Marayam Garba Nadama said the cardinal objective of the gathering was to sensitise them on it Conditional Cash Transfer.
She explained that, the meeting brought together youth and women groups, traditional and religious leaders, councillors, school authorities, and other stakeholders which she said they can contribute their quota for the success of the programe.
She urged the participants to take the message back to their various communities to ensure widespread awareness of the programme.
Hajiya Maryam Garba Nadama emphasized that, the core aim of the cash support is to ensure that girls complete their education.
Hajiya Maryam expressed happiness that, the information received from some Principals during the sensitisation, enrollment of adolescent girls had increased significantly due to ongoing sensitisation effort.
Also Speaking, Dr. Rabiu Shehu, one of the key facilitators, explained the procedures and benefits of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in details.
He pointed out that, only students attending government-owned schools are eligible to benefit from the programme.
Specifically, girls who have completed primary school and are transitioning into JSS1, as well as those moving from JSS3 to SS1, are the primary targets of the initiative.
Dr. Shehu also stressed the importance of engaging religious and traditional leaders, as well as School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), in achieving the goals of AGILE in Zamfara State.
Similarly, another facilitator during the meeting, Hajiya Maimuna Balarabe reiterated the value of educating the girl child, described it as a way of educating the entire society, since women are the backbone of families and communities.
Hajiya Balarabe noted that, AGILE project is also rehabilitating school facilities, including classrooms and toilets, to create a more conducive learning environment for girls.
She further disclosed that, complaint boxes would be installed in schools to allow community members to freely express their concerns and feedback about any issue related to their programme.
A community leader in Maru Local government said lack of education remains a major contributor to social problems like kidnapping and insecurity.
He stressed that, an educated individual, whether through Islamic or Western education, is unlikely to get involved in such criminal acts.
The participants pledged to spread the message to other villages and settlements within Bungudu/Maru and beyond, urging others to also play their part in ensuring that girls are given the opportunity to acquire quality education.
Also they emphasized the need for every girl child to benefit from the programme and to stay in school for a better future.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
