In Kano State, over 29,000 children who were previously out of school have successfully completed literacy and numeracy catch-up programs organized by Save the Children International in partnership with the state government.
These children hail from the local government areas of Ajingi, Makoda, and Minjibir, participating in an initiative funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigerian Education (PLANE) project. The program specifically targets children aged 6 to 13 who have either never attended school or have dropped out, with the goal of reintegrating them into formal education.
At the graduation ceremony held at Minjibir town hall, Chrystal Holt, Senior Education Advisor at Save the Children, highlighted that the catch-up clubs are designed to rapidly enhance foundational learning skills among children within a brief timeframe.
She revealed that the PLANE project has benefited more than 68,000 children across Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states, focusing on significantly lowering the number of out-of-school children by employing early learning and accelerated education strategies.
“When these children began the program, nearly 90 percent were unable to recognize letters. However, after just 11 weeks-equivalent to about 50 hours of instruction-almost half of them can now read full sentences. This progress is truly remarkable,” Holt stated.
Additionally, Holt noted that the program facilitates the children’s smooth transition into the government-led Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP). This initiative provides primary school equivalency through its Level 1 and Level 2 stages, allowing graduates to re-enter mainstream schooling.
Representing the executive chairman of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Yusuf Kabir, the director of Social Mobilisation, Balarabe Jazuli, praised Save the Children and its collaborators for their vital role in supporting government efforts to expand access to quality education.
He remarked, “These 29,000 children are now equipped to continue their education within formal school settings. This achievement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to reduce the number of out-of-school children in our communities, aligning perfectly with the state government’s objectives.”
The graduation event also featured the distribution of essential school supplies, including uniforms, writing materials, school bags, and certificates to the children.
