UNICEF launches learning passport in Kwara, targets quality education for 120,000 children
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF) has launched Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) programe in Kwara and targeted over 120,000 children to enjoy quality education in one year.
The Education Officer for UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, Mr Bala Dada disclosed this on Thursday during the Launching of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kwara held at E-Phonix Hotel Conference room, Ilorin.
Dada, who represented Chief of the Field Office, Kaduna, said Kwara is the 20th state to launch the NLP and to join global movement of reimagining education.
He said UNICEF partnership with Kwara government will help build the capacity of 3,000 teachers on digital literacy skills in order to deliver quality basic education to 120,000 children in Kwara within one year.
According to him, the LP was created globally by UNICEF and MICROSOFT at a time when education experienced unprecedented disruption due to COVID- 19 at the height of pandemic.
He said NLP would provide access to Nigerian curriculum in local languages and also ensure free access on the Airtel network.
” Our commitment as UNICEF is not just to launch a digital learning platform, but to ensure that the materials on it are supportive to the curriculum, accessible in local languages.
” We want to make connectivity available to the poor, rural, marginalized, girls and children in any path of the country inorder for them to have access to Nigeria educational content.
” UNICEF is aiming towards reducing numbers of Out of School Children through NLP by increasing literacy and numeracy.
” Our target in Kwara is 120,000 children in a year. We will also train 3,000 teachers which will help them deliver blended learning in their classroom,” he said.
Dada also disclosed that NLP is available for free online, mobile and through offline devices
He also disclosed that the project has enrolled 1,478,984 students ever since 2022 that it was lunched.
The UNICEF representative, however, commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara for his investment and transformation in education sector.
He said UNICEF is proud to partner the state and described it as “re-start of partnership in the education sector.
Gov. AbdulRazaq expressed satisfaction on the NLP programme, adding that the initiative was timely.
AbdulRasaq, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Jibril, said his administration focus has been to improve the quality of teaching and learning through unified curriculum.
” I am happy we are domesticating this initiative so early in Kwara. It is timely and fits the already existing educational projects in the state.
” NLP came at a time that we are implementing KwaraLearn and other game changing educational policies in the state. It will improve learning outcomes for our children across the 16 local governments areas,” he said.
The governor, however, assured that his administration would continue to subscribe to policies and programmes that will facilitate and accelerate educational development in the state.
Kwara Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’ adatu Modibbo-Kawu described the development as inline with the transformation agenda of Gov.AbdulRazaq led administration towards the attainment of 2030 agenda of United Nation Sustainable Development Goal, SDG for quality education.
Kawu, however, assured UNICEF that the state would mobilize human and material resource to ensure that NLP programme is fully implemented.
Some of the Kwara Commissioners were present at the occasion and also both public and private schools students and teachers were also present at the event.
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