By Beatrice Gondyi
In order to improve access to education for girls, the Bauchi State Government has released ₦150 million in counterpart funding to support targeted programmes aimed at increasing girls’ enrollment and retention in public schools across the state.
This was disclosed by the Hon. Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Riminzayam who explained that the initiative is a deliberate effort by the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed to address the persistent barriers preventing girls from accessing and completing basic education.
"We have a programme that is a World Bank programme which the governor has paid his counterpart funding of 150 million to ensure that every girl in Bauchi State irrespective of her status married or single access education in that programme there is what we call second chance and that second chance is meant for girls that dropped out of school because of some traditions and now felt education is important they have the second chance of being enrolled."
He added that "another component in the program we call it conditional Cash transfer, this conditional cash transfer is meant to ensure that children access little funds that will keep them at school. We pay their school fees through the conditional cash transfer. They have ATMs, we open accounts for them, they access their cash directly."
"We are going to be monitoring them based on their percentage of attendance. All these is done by his Excellency to ensure that every girl access education and Transit to the next level of education."
Part of the program consists of construction of girl-friendly school facilities, including separate toilets and water points
Provision of scholarships, uniforms, and learning materials to girls from vulnerable households
Recruitment and deployment of more female teachers, especially in rural areas
Advocacy and community sensitization campaigns promoting girls' education
Strengthening of girls’ clubs and mentorship programs in schools.
The Commissioner confirmed the effort of the governor in terms of education and absorbing out of school children back to school.
"In respect of out of school children we are bringing all stakeholders on deck to ensure that adequate sensitization and importance of education is carried by all and sundry in the state. We brought in emirs, the first class emirs. The first class emirs will now cascade the information to their subjects as well."
He said the budget for the ministry is inadequate to cater to issues in the education sector.
"The budget has been very stimulating. We are able to achieve results based on what was approved last year and we are going to increase the budgetary allocation this year in terms of education because there are needs for that and we are going to correct those errors that were done previously.
"There are issues that have been brought up after the budget was passed, the issue of out of school children, there are needs for the ministry and the state government to step in by financing certain organs to ensure this.
"Because of the passion the governor has and the ministry, we have to go the extra mile to ensure that we bring in the necessary resources to ensure that the dividend of democracy is felt within the education sector.”
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