From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Adamawa State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait (ECW), has expressed readiness to address the out-of-school children challenge bedevilling communities across the state.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Services, Dr. Garba Pella, disclosed this during a media engagement in Yola, stressing that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s administration remains open to policies and programmes that have direct impact on the populace.
Represented by the Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), Dr. Murtala Umar Babayi, Pella noted that the ECW-anchored project aligns with the governor’s education policy.
He assured that the state government would provide maximum cooperation for the initiative, which is expected to reduce the number of out-of-school children, noting that every child, regardless of background, deserves access to quality and inclusive education.
In his remarks, Education Specialist at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Ado Ibrahim Abdulrahman, said the programme is designed to address barriers preventing children from enrolling and remaining in school.
He explained that the programme, which commenced in December 2024, will run for 36 months and end in December 2027. He added that the intervention is part of the Multi-Year Resilience Programme II (MYRP II), a continuation of earlier education support efforts in the North-East.
According to Abdulrahman, the project will be implemented in seven local government areas of Adamawa State, including Michika, Madagali, Fufore, Yola South, Mubi, Ganye, and Shelleng. He added that the programme targets states affected by insecurity, particularly Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.
He further stated that the project places special emphasis on enrolling internally displaced children, returnees, and other out-of-school populations, including children with disabilities and those in marginalized learning systems such as the Almajiri (Tsangaya) system.
“The ECW project is strategically focused on boosting enrolment by addressing key challenges such as insecurity, climate shocks, economic hardship, and inequality—factors that have kept many children out of classrooms and contributed to poor learning outcomes.
“The goal is simple: no child should be left behind,” Abdulrahman said, adding that the initiative is already creating pathways for increased enrolment and improved retention.
He noted that the project is gender-focused, targeting 60 per cent girls and 40 per cent boys, expressing optimism that it will transform the education landscape in Adamawa by ensuring more children enrol, remain in school, and succeed.
Also speaking, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nushad Rafiq, emphasized that children have the right to education and access to essential services, including birth registration, vaccination, and proper nutrition.
Dr. Rafiq raised concerns over the high number of children engaged in street begging and hawking, particularly girls, stressing the urgent need to integrate them into formal education and ensure they remain in school.