Cov/Dauda
United Nations Children Education Fund UNICEF in collaboration with Borno state have reconstructed 48 classrooms and 24 latrines destroyed by insurgents in six local government areas
At a handing over ceremony, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Maiduguri, Phuong Nguyen said the rehabilitated classrooms will reduce overpopulation and prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
According to the joint assessment report by United Nations, World Bank, Federal and Borno state government, over five thousand classrooms have been destroyed by the insurgents since escalation of the crisis, more than ten years ago.
This has led to increase in the number of out-of-school children and psychological distress among the affected population.
In an effort to better the future of conflict-affected-children, a three-year Early Recovery and Resilience of Education Sector Projected supported by the European Union was launched to provide better infrastructure, instructional materials and psychosocial support to children and their teachers.
UNICEF Borno Chief of Field Office Phuong Nguyen said six thousand children and and fifty eight teachers will benefit from the classrooms and toilet intervention from six local governments of Hawul, Jere, Monguno, Gwoza, Damasak and Maiduguri Metropolis.
“UNICEF, with the support of the EU and our implementing partners will continue to invest in the education and empower communities to support education services. This is important as education is a lifeline for children and a pathway to peace and economic prosperity for families and societies”.
The Unicef Chief added that fifty thousand children will also be supported with psychosocial support by the end of February.
Borno state Deputy Governor Alhaji Umar Kadafur appreciated the contribution of Development partners in revamping the education sector of the state.
He however called for more investment in teacher training and development. Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Resettlement Mustapha Gubio said 120 million naira was expended in the reconstruction work.
He pointed out that six of the projects have not been completed due to logistics and security problem.