By Adamu Yusuf
The Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) has called for increased efforts to ensure that more girls in Kaduna State transition from primary to secondary school, remain in school and achieve better learning outcomes.
The statement was signed by the Co-Chair of KADBEAM’s Civil Society component Rahila Baita Ishaku and distributed to Journalists in Kaduna as part of to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive, quality basic education and improving accountability through reliable data, collaboration and community engagement, stressing the need to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to enrol in school, learn effectively and complete her education.
KADBEAM noted that although Kaduna State has recorded significant progress in girls’ enrolment, challenges remain in ensuring that every girl completes her education.
According to the organisation, data from the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics’ 2025/2026 Annual School Census show that girls account for 49.5 per cent of enrolment in public primary schools, 51 per cent in public junior secondary schools and 52 per cent in public senior secondary schools.
The statement noted that the state recorded a Gender Parity Index of 1.0 at primary and junior secondary levels and 1.07 at senior secondary level, reflecting substantial progress towards equal access to education for girls and boys.
However, KADBEAM expressed concern over girls’ net enrolment rates, which stand at 87 per cent at primary level, 31 per cent at junior secondary level and 27 per cent at senior secondary level, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve transition from primary to secondary education.
It explained that although some junior secondary schools had yet to submit their census returns, limiting the completeness of the data, the available figures underscore the importance of addressing barriers preventing girls from progressing through the education system.
The organisation also observed that girls’ participation varies across local government areas, with some recording higher female enrolment in secondary schools, while Soba, Ikara and Birnin Gwari continue to face challenges in achieving comparable participation.
On learning outcomes, KADBEAM cited the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics’ 2023 Learning Poverty Report, which found that girls in Primary Six were more likely than boys to score below minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.
It stressed that improving access to education must go hand in hand with efforts to strengthen foundational learning, support teachers and provide a safe and conducive learning environment.
The statement further highlighted inadequate water and sanitation facilities as a major concern, noting that 55 per cent of public primary schools lack a safe water source, a situation that could affect pupils’ attendance and the ability of adolescent girls to attend school regularly, particularly during menstruation.
KADBEAM also called for increased recruitment and deployment of female teachers to rural communities, describing their presence as important in providing role models and encouraging girls to remain in school.
The organisation welcomed provisions in the 2026 Approved Budget for girls’ and boys’ education, as well as initiatives by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to reactivate mothers’ associations in 16 Local Government Education Authorities and engage mothers in 200 communities on the importance of girls’ education.
KADBEAM pledged to support the implementation of these initiatives and work with the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, civil society organisations and community stakeholders to strengthen girls’ transition to secondary education, improve school water and sanitation facilities, and empower School-Based Management Committees and mothers’ associations.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
