By Hassan Ibrahim
Plan International Nigeria under its Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights project (ASPIRE) projects has donated solar street lights, desks, braille machines, menstrual hygiene kits, first aid kits and other essential learning materials worth over N182 million to 50 selected schools in Bauchi State.
Speaking during the handover of the equipment held Thursday in Bauchi, ASPIRE Project Manager, Plan International Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad Bello, said that the project's ultimate outcome is improving the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls and young women and vulnerable populations in Bauchi State.
Bello explained that as part of the strategy to promote safer, more conducive learning environments for adolescent boys and girls, the ASPIRE project supported the procurement of a wide range of school learning items/supplies for 50 selected schools across the state.
Bello said, "I want to start by congratulating Bauchi State on the giant strides it has made in strengthening quality integrated education to its teeming adolescent girls and young women. We are pleased to acknowledge the improved resources allocated to education and health in this year's budget. Plan International will continue to work with Stale in actualizing these laudable objectives."
Bello explained that last year the ASPIRE project worked with the State Ministry of Education to carry out an extensive assessment across more than 100 formal and non-formal schools in Bauchi. That exercise revealed critical gaps in infrastructure, learning materials, consumables, and teaching aids. Based on agreed selection criteria, 50 schools were prioritized for Intervention (25 formal and 25 non-formal).
Bello said that the findings of this assessment report and other similar exercises provided the basis for the Ministry and its MDA'S resolute commitment to improve the state education ecosystem that guarantees quality outcomes for children, especially girls.
He added that Plan International on its part is committed to strengthening its partnership with the Ministry in its response to these findings, "What we are witnessing here today is a testimony of this partnership. We are handing over a wide range of procured items, including 22 whiteboards, 155 street solar lights, 41 first aid kits, 74 dustbins, 72 menstrual hygiene kits, 476 disinfectants, three braille machines and accessories, 350 desks, and other learning kits.
"These Items were carefully selected to improve the quality of teaching and learning environments, enhance safety and inclusion, and most importantly, reduce the barriers that adolescent boys and girls, especially girls often face in accessing safe and quality education. For example, menstrual hygiene kits will help reduce absenteeism among girls. Solar lights will make learning spaces safer and more accessible, vada braille machines will promote inclusive learning for children with visual impairments," he said.
Responding, Bauchi State Commissioner of Education, Dr Muhammad Lawal Rimin Zayam, thanked Plan International for the intervention and assured that the Ministry will ensure transparent and effective distribution of these items to the identified schools.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ali Babayo, the Commissioner said, "We believe that no child should be left behind, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance. Over the years, however, many of our schools have faced critical challenges and shortages of furniture. learning materials, sanitation facilities, and inclusive tools for learners with disabilities. These challenges have hindered effective teaching and learning.
"Today's intervention by Plan International Nigeria is therefore both timely and impactful. The distribution of whiteboards, solar street lights, desks, menstrual hygiene kits, braille machines, first aid kits. disinfectants, and other essential learning materials is not just about providing items, it is about restoring dignity to our classrooms, strengthening inclusivity and creating safer, more enabling environments for learning," he added.
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