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The United Nations Children's Fund says it has constructed, renovated classrooms and provided instructional materials to over 125 schools in Adamawa State within the period of three years.
UNICEF's Education Consultant, Bauchi Field Office, Joel Jutum, said during the flag-off of the distribution on Friday that the investment of his organisation in education, especially in the North-East, was to ensure that all children return to school after the insurgency experience witnessed in the area.
He said, “UNICEF in partnership with our generous donors, including the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau, Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait, Norwegian Embassy Towards Safe School Initiative Programme and the Adamawa State government constructed and renovated classrooms, installed perimeter fences, toilets, and instructional facilities across 125 schools in the state from 2021 to date.”
He noted, “Today marks a significant moment in our collective journey towards ensuring every child in Adamawa has access to quality education and learning opportunities.
“It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of responsibility that we gather here for the flag-off of the distribution of essential learning materials.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our partner, the KFW of the Government of Germany who has made this initiative possible with their generous support that enables UNICEF to create an environment where every child can fulfil their potential and contribute positively to our society.”
The UNICEF boss pointed out that the goal of the international agency extends beyond just enrolling children into schools but also aims to ensure attendance, retention, and a smooth transition from one educational level to the next while enhancing the quality of education, as well as mitigating the indirect cost of education on parents.
The items that were distributed included branded school bags for 343,942 children, recreational kits for 247,877 children, exercise books for 165,053 girls, Early Childhood Development Kits for 7,400 children and 370 teachers, as well as assorted pens, erasers, rulers, and sharpeners for 129, 281 children schooling in 931 public schools across the state.
According to him, the educational resources were provided to support UNICEF in its collective mission of reducing the number of out-of-school children, increasing retention, facilitating transitions and ensuring the completion of education for every child in the community.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who hailed UNICEF for promoting education in the state, said that the donation of school bags and other essential learning materials underscored the organisation’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the educational outcomes of Adamawa children.
