UNICEF Distributes Learning Materials to Over 300,000 Children in Adamawa

 

By Idris Ayinde

In an effort to further enhance the educational standard in Adamawa state, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has distributed essential learning materials to 343,942 school-age children in the state.

Speaking during the distribution of the learning materials on Thursday, Dr Rane Tushar, UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office, said those educational resources were provided to support the collective mission of reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

According to him, the gesture would also increase retention, facilitate transitions, and ensure the completion of education for every child in the community.

Tushar, who was represented by Mr Joel Jutum, the UNICEF Education Consultant in Adamawa, noted that when children have the necessary tools for learning, they are more likely to stay in school and engage actively in their education.

“With these items, we are promoting this cause in Adamawa state and this is because education is not a privilege but a fundamental right of every child.

“As we distribute these materials, we call on the Adamawa state government, and other partners to continue strengthening our collaboration to ensure that more children enroll in schools, retain, complete, and transit to the next level.

“Our goal extends beyond just enrolling children in school. We aim 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,” he said.

Tushar highlighted some of the items distributed to the children to include; branded school bags, recreational kits, exercise books and Early Childhood Development (ECD) Kits.

Others, he said, includes; pens, erasers, rulers, and sharpeners across 931 public schools in the state.

He added that UNICEF, in partnership with donors like Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KFW), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Norwegian Embassy Towards Safe School Initiative Programme (TSSIP), and Adamawa state government, constructed and renovated classrooms, installed perimeter fences, toilets, and instructional facilities across 125 schools in the state from 2021 to date.

Receiving the items on behalf of the state, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri, said that the gesture was a critical step forward in the shared commitment to enhance the quality of education for the children and securing a brighter future for the state.

Represented by Dr. Adamu Babikoi,
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Education, Fintiri expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their unwavering support and generous contribution.

“Your efforts have included building and renovating classrooms, supplying educational materials, and supporting capacity building at various levels.

“Your dedication to the education sector in Adamawa State is not only commendable but also inspiring.

“These learning materials will undoubtedly play a crucial role in empowering our young minds and ensuring they have the necessary tools to succeed in their educational journey,” said the governor.

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