The Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, an umbrella association of the 19 Governors of the northern States has reiterated its commitment to tackle the phenomenal out-of-school and Almajiri system in the region.
According the Forum, the Governors are set to achieve this task through an enhanced partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
This was disclosed during a meeting held between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and a delegation from the IsDB, led by the Bank’s Country Representative, Dr. Hasanul Kibria.
Yahaya who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum expressed the readiness of the governors to tackle the problem head on. He emphasized that the Northern states are concerned about the alarming rates of educational exclusion, particularly among the Almajiri.
Yahaya emphasized that the northern States would leverage the IsDB’s SMART Education project. He maintained that they would to not only expand access to education but also to improve its quality and enhance learning outcomes in the region.
The Forum Chairman said, “The States in the North are disturbed by the increasing rates of educational exclusion. And we are committed to working with development partners like the Islamic Development Bank to address this menace.”
He highlighted Gombe State’s efforts to modernize the Almajiri system by integrating formal education with Islamic teachings. He pointed that the State is doing this by improving infrastructure. They are also building teacher capacity to motivate the out-of-school children back to the classrooms and to better serve children in Tsangaya schools.
This was disclosed in a statement yesterday by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli. He pointed out that the NSGF, would soon convene an expanded meeting with key stakeholders.
Misilli noted that during the meeting the issue of out-of-school children would take centre stage.
While commending the IsDB for its role in supporting education, he sought for expanded collaboration in other areas. Such as agriculture, animal husbandry, lives and livelihood support and human capital development in general.
He cited Gombe’s strategic location and favourable business environment as a promising investment destination.
Speaking earlier, the Country Representative of IsDB, Dr. Kibria outlined the Islamic Development Bank’s SMART Education initiative. The initiative is co-financed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and supported by other Arab development institutions.
He explained that the project aims to address the urgent educational needs of states with high rates of out-of-school children. With particular emphasis in Northern Nigeria.
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