The Kaduna State Government has announced a significant partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to launch the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project, aimed at providing quality education to over 200,000 out-of-school children across the state. The announcement was made by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe during a signing ceremony held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, on Friday.
The ROOSC project is designed to ensure that all children in Kaduna State, regardless of their circumstances, have access to quality education. Dr. Balarabe emphasized that the initiative is a crucial step in the state’s commitment to transforming the educational landscape for out-of-school children, particularly focusing on girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents.
“This project marks a crucial step in our shared commitment to ensuring that children in Kaduna State have access to quality education, irrespective of their circumstances,” Dr. Balarabe said. She highlighted the project’s alignment with the state’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2029) and Sustainable Development Goal 4, which advocates for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The project is set to reintegrate over 200,000 out-of-school children into the education system and improve the educational experience for more than 1.2 million primary school pupils through enhanced facilities and learning materials. Additionally, over 36,000 key stakeholders, including teachers, headteachers, and local education authorities, will receive crucial training and capacity development.
Dr. Balarabe expressed appreciation to UNICEF and other supporting partners, including the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, and Save the Children International. She acknowledged their vital contributions in making the project possible and reinforcing international cooperation to address the global challenge of out-of-school children.
“Our Governor, Senator Uba Sani, extends his heartfelt felicitations to our esteemed partners who have made this historic event possible. He is deeply encouraged by your unwavering dedication to transforming the lives of underserved children in our state,” Dr. Balarabe added.
The Deputy Governor reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to prioritizing education in its budget and strengthening partnerships with organizations like UNICEF. “Our shared vision is to ensure that every child, regardless of gender, ability, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive,” she concluded.
The ROOSC project represents a major effort by the Kaduna State Government to address one of the most significant challenges in education—high numbers of out-of-school children—and to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the education system in the region.
