Cov /Usman MZ, Jigawa
Federal Government says about 17 that include the 13 states of the North-West and North-East will get intervention to address the increasing number of out of school children.
The Minister of state for education, Mr. Chukwu Emeka Nwajiubu stated this during launching of the better education service delivery for all at the Manpower Development Institute MDI inDutse, jigawa state capital.
He explained that the selection of the states was based on prevalence of the number of out-of-school children in those regions while emphasising that, Jigawa was one of the worst hit in the ranking in Nigeria.
Mr Chukwu Emeka said the Better Education Service Delivery for All BESDA became effective since January 2018 with the commencement of implementation processes at the Federal government level.
According to him, each beneficiary state is expected to commence implementation in line with the specific steps and guidelines provided under the programme.
The Minister lament that even as there was nothing to cheer about when a single child happened to be out of school, not to talk of millions that were currently roaming the streets, instead of being in the classroom learning.
He assured that the intervension out would guarantee the future of our children and ensure that their rights were protected as enshrined in the child Rights act of 2003.
Also speaking, Governor Badaru Abubakar of jigawa state said the state government on its part had recruited 1,393 school teacher in 2018 while screening of 4,000 teachers under the J-teach programme would commence soon.
He explained that the flagging-off and launching of the BESDA at this time was appropriate in view of the fact that reducing in number of out of school children considered one of the 10 pillars of the ministerial strategic plan.
Reports says an estimate of 10 million children are presently roaming the streets across the country while Jigawa is one of the worst affected by the menace followed by Rivers, Niger, Oyo and Ebonyi stated.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the ceremony include Emir of Dutse Dr Nuhu Muhammadu Sunusi, Retired DIG Uba Bala Ringim, members of the state House of assembly and top government officials.