Lawmakers move to tackle out-of-school menace in Northeast

May 12, 2024 Mustapha Salisu

From Hajara Usman, Gombe

Lawmakers in Adamawa ,Bauchi, and Gombe States have pledged commitment to tackling the lingering problem of out-of-school children in their respective states.

They stated this in Gombe in separate interviews with newsmen during a two-day regional stakeholders’ engagement meeting on out-of-school children and the retention, transition, and completion models in Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa states.

The event which was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) had in attendance Commissioner of Education Gombe, lawmakers from the three states and Directors from the Federal and state ministries of education and related Agencies.

Mal.Shuaibu Haruna member representing Kwami East Constituency who is also the Chairman House Committee on Education in the Gombe State House of Assembly said their duty was to enact laws adding that” as soon as the bill on framework on out of school children 2024 is submitted to the house.

“I am assuring you, within a minimum of three and maximum of four weeks we will ensure that it is passed.”

He expressed confidence that Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State was committed towards addressing the issue “the alarming increase of out of school children is worrisome hence the need for intensified effort to address it,” he explained.

Also speaking, Alhaji Nasir Ahmed Chairman House Committee on Education and member representing Bauchi Madara /Chinede Constituency Bauchi state House of Assembly, said the regional meeting carried a unanimous decision.

He said Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has always been cooperative and supportive when it comes to the issue of out of school children, assuring that as soon as the bill is presented to the House of Assembly they will act on it without any delay.

Malam. Masa’ud Ahmed Secretary Committee on Education Adamawa State of Assembly expressed confidence that they will also do it in Adamawa considering the passion the Gov Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has for education sector in the state.