From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The three northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) have begun the second phase of a special learning programme to give a second chance to children affected by over a decade of violence in the area.
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Speaking at the launch of the programme and inception workshop in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital, Adamawa State Commissioner for Education, Dr Umar Garba Pella saud the programme will give another opportunity to children that missed schools or learning process due to insurgency and other challenges.
He commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other international partners for their interest in the education of million of out-of-school children and young people in the BAY states largely caused by years of conflict.
He welcomed more collaboration among the beneficiary states to ensure the second phase reaches its target of 130,000 or more children.
UNICEF Chief of Education, Vanessa Lee, lauded the commitment of the governments of the three states for taken ownership of the programme. She said this was in line with the education vision of the Federal Ministry of Education.
“This second phase targets 130,000 marginalized children. It will also build the capacity of states to respond to emergency and ensure continuity of learning for the most vulnerable children in northeast Nigeria,” Lee disposed.
She said the programme builds on efforts and gains made through the first phase of education cannot wait project being implemented in 29 local governments across the three states.
She explained that UNICEF Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children International are partnering with the government to increased access to formal and non-formal education services through the programme.
According to her, the programme also focuses on improving learning outcomes and ensuring continuity of learning for more than 500,000 conflict-affected children.