The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Adamawa State government to urgently approve the release of counterpart funding for the implementation of Basic Education and Education in Emergency interventions in the state.
At an event yesterday to kick off the distribution of learning materials across schools in Adamawa, UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Tushar Rane, urged Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to expedite the domestication of the 1-9-3-4 education system and ensure the equitable distribution of teachers and educational resources based on pupil enrollment.
Dr. Rane emphasized that UNICEF’s goals extend beyond merely enrolling children in schools. “We aim to ensure attendance, retention, and smooth transition from one educational level to the next while enhancing the quality of education and mitigating the indirect cost of education on parents,” he stated.
He added, “When children have the necessary tools for learning, they are more likely to stay in school and engage actively in their education. With these items, we are promoting this cause in Adamawa state.”
UNICEF underscored that education is a fundamental right of every child and called on the Adamawa State government and other partners to strengthen their collaboration to ensure more children enroll, retain, complete, and transition to the next educational level.
Governor Fintiri, through his Senior Special Assistant on Education, Dr. Adamu Babikoi, responded by affirming the administration’s commitment to education. “Education has always been a top priority for our administration, and we have made significant strides in transforming the educational landscape of the state,” he said.
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He assured the people of Adamawa of his administration’s dedication to ensuring that every child has access to quality education and the opportunity to realize their full potential.
Echoing the governor’s sentiments, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), Dr. Murtala Umar Babayi, highlighted UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to enhancing educational outcomes in the state. “These materials will undoubtedly contribute to fostering a conducive learning environment for our students, empowering them with the tools they need to thrive academically,” he stated.
The distributed learning materials included school bags for 343,942 children, recreational kits for 247,877 children, exercise books for 165,053 girls, Early Childhood Development (ECD) kits for 7,400 children and 370 teachers, and assorted pens, erasers, rulers, and sharpeners for 129,281 school children, benefiting no fewer than 931 public schools across the state.
