By AMINU DALHATU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Zamfara State Government has graduated and certified 1,868 adolescent girls and young women who successfully completed the first cohort of the AGILE Alternative Education Programme under Subcomponent 2.2C.
The beneficiaries were drawn from the 14 Local Government Areas of the State, underwent a 10-month training programme designed to provide learning opportunities for girls and young women who are outside the formal education system.
Speaking at the graduation and certification ceremony, the Zamfara State AGILE Project Coordinator, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau, explained that, the programme provided the beneficiaries with foundational literacy and numeracy, life skills, digital literacy, as well as vocational and livelihood skills in market-driven trades.
Hajiya Sa’adatu said 2,250 learners were enrolled in the first cohort, out of whom 1,868 successfully completed the programme and were graduated and received certificates.
She disclosed that 1,186 beneficiaries had transitioned to post-literacy programmes, 682 had been mainstreamed into formal schools, while 367 were repeating the learning cycle and 15 had dropped out.
The Coordinator said the figures represented more than statistics, described them as renewed opportunities and alternative pathways for girls and young women to acquire knowledge, skills and improved livelihood opportunities.
She said the programme had also strengthened the foundation for sustainable delivery, noting that, 35 vocational and alternative education centres were renovated during the first year, while 20 centres were fully equipped with learning and livelihood resources.
According to her, functional water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were also provided in all supported centres, while 75 facilitators were trained and supported throughout the 10-month programme with a monthly stipend of N30,000 each.
Hajiya Sa’adatu said the State was building on the achievements recorded in the first year, revealing that 80 additional centres had been mapped for similar interventions under Year Two, bringing the planned coverage to 100 centres.
She explained that the additional centres would be equipped with learning and livelihood resources to target about 19,500 beneficiaries, adding that the selection of the next cohort would be guided by Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion principles.
In his remarks, the Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abdulmalik Gajam, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Maryam Shantali, described the graduation as a significant milestone in the State’s efforts to expand access to inclusive education.
Gajam said the graduation of 1,868 beneficiaries from 20 non-formal learning centres demonstrated the impact of the Alternative Education Programme implemented through the Zamfara State Mass Education Board with the support of the AGILE Project.
He commended the Mass Education Board, AGILE Project Implementation Team, facilitators, community leaders, development partners and other stakeholders for their commitment to reducing illiteracy and expanding educational opportunities for vulnerable groups.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Mass Education Board said the achievement demonstrated what could be accomplished when state institutions were strengthened to respond effectively to the educational needs of communities.
He explained that the Board, in collaboration with AGILE, led the mapping, identification, mobilisation and enrolment of beneficiaries and provided the centres, facilities and facilitators through which the programme was delivered.
The Executive Secretary expressed appreciation to the Zamfara State Government, AGILE Project, development partners, communities, parents and facilitators for their partnership and support.
The graduating beneficiaries, in separate remarks, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, described the programme as a platform that had equipped them with valuable knowledge and skills, while they received certificates confirming their successful completion of the training.
