The Kaduna State Government has joined forces with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project, which aims to deliver quality education to over 200,000 out-of-school children across the state.
At the signing ceremony held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on Friday, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe announced the initiative. She emphasized that the project is designed to provide access to quality education for all children, regardless of their situation.
“This project marks a crucial step in our shared commitment to ensuring that children in Kaduna State have access to quality education, irrespective of their circumstances,” Balarabe stated.
The Deputy Governor highlighted that the project is particularly focused on improving education opportunities for girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents, aiming to offer them a pathway to a better future.
“Education is the foundation of a prosperous society, and its importance in shaping the future of our state cannot be overstated,” she added.
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Balarabe also conveyed Governor Uba Sani’s appreciation, noting, “Our Governor, Senator Uba Sani, extends his heartfelt felicitations to our esteemed partners who have made this historic event possible. He is deeply encouraged by your unwavering dedication to transforming the lives of underserved children in our state.”
The Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to UNICEF and other supporting partners, including the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, and Save the Children International.
“We are committed to prioritising education in our budgets and deepening our partnerships with organisations like UNICEF to ensure every child has access to quality education,” she said.
Balarabe pointed out that the ROOSC project is in alignment with the state’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2029) and Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education.
“The ROOSC project directly addresses one of our most significant challenges, the high number of out-of-school children, many of whom are girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents. We are committed to maximising the impact of our resources. This project will enhance the efficiency of our education system through improved management, robust data systems, and stronger accountability mechanisms,” Balarabe explained.
The project is expected to reintegrate over 200,000 out-of-school children into the education system, with more than 1.2 million primary school pupils benefiting from enhanced facilities and learning materials. Additionally, over 36,000 key stakeholders, including teachers, headteachers, and local education authorities, will receive essential training and capacity development.
Balarabe concluded by expressing her heartfelt gratitude to UNICEF and the other partners. “Your unwavering support and expertise will be instrumental in helping us meet the ambitious goals set for this project. We also recognise and appreciate the generous contributions of our other partners—the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, and Save the Children International. Your support underscores the power of international cooperation in addressing the global challenge of out-of-school children.”
She reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to prioritizing education in its budget and strengthening partnerships with organizations like UNICEF. “Our shared vision is to ensure that every child, regardless of gender, ability, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive,” she concluded.
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