I congratulate the new governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi. Your Excellency, as you embark on your new responsibilities, I wish to draw your attention to the state of education and the rising number of out-of-school children in our dear state (Jigawa). Sir, UNESCO has made it known that there are over 20.2 million out-of-school children in Nigeria which is the highest rate in the world.
According to the data released in 2022 by the UNESCO, more than 700,000 children are out-of-school in Jigawa State, mostly in rural areas and hard-to-reach communities. This is a big problem for our economy, our security and our dear state and this must be given appropriate consideration. These children and youths become vulnerable to social crisis such as theft, drug abuse, sexual abuse and unwanted pregnancies among our teenage girls.
Even the introduction of various education programmes and projects such as Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA), Integrated Almajiri School and Nomadic Education targeted at reducing number of out-of-school children seemed not to have reduced the figures. Why don’t you try another strategy that will be relevant to the good people of Jigawa State?
However, equal access to quality education must be a priority because educated children and youths across the world empower societies and fuel economies, help people out of extreme poverty, and provide quality education for communities.
Education is key for raising awareness on global issues we are currently experiencing such as insecurity and economic crisis. Moreover, it is important to equip young people with 21st century skills for employment opportunities and entrepreneurship given the crucial role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global and domestic challenges. Education plays a central role in the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals, because an inclusive and equitable quality education will bring about social change and sustainable development.
Below are my few pieces of advice sir:
- Invest differently from your predecessors on education and make it a top priority upon every national and local agenda because of its impact on so many important issues like extreme poverty, health, agriculture, technology and water.
- Prioritise Almajiri education to be part of Islamiya education; this will provide inclusive education to include all learners, no matter their identity, or background. Almajiri are also children that need some basic skills to be integrated in conventional education system.
- Engage with national and international development partners such as UNICEF, UNESCO, USAID, UKAID, JICA, KOICA to help in the strategic planning and ensure proper implementation of education programmes.
- Engage with traditional rulers, community leaders and non-state actors to ensure corporate responsibility in making sure that every child gets access to quality education despite his or her social status that has been practiced in the 1960s.
- Invest the resources we know can help the marginalized and underserved communities, provide facilities, support teachers, and provide learning resources in our schools so that everyone can benefit, and support one another as you rebuild education systems that are inclusive for all.
- Consider the education sector as critical as finance, health or justice. Appoint responsible and incorruptible personnel to handle the activities of education institutions such as SME, SUBEB, LEA and other education institutions.
All of us have a role to play in ensuring that no child is left out. On our part, we will hold you to account with the power of our voices. We need quality education systems and institutions that are accessible and work for everyone, whatever their identity, background, or ability, in which people feel safe and can thrive. Education for all should mean all, and not just the lucky few.
Congratulations once again and I wish you the best in your new office as executive governor of Jigawa State.
Tijjani Mukaddas wrote from the University of Kansas, USA
