By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Kaduna – The Kaduna State Government, in partnership with Save the Children International (SCI) and UNICEF, has launched the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project, aiming to return over 100,000 out-of-school children to the classroom within a four-year period.

The initiative, which began in April 2024, seeks to boost school enrollment, enhance teaching quality, and create a safe and inclusive learning environment. It also aims to strengthen the education system for improved performance across the state.

Speaking at a two-day Media Visibility Plan Development meeting with journalists and stakeholders in Kaduna, Salisu Baba Lawal of the Kaduna State Ministry of Education explained that the project is being implemented in nine Local Government Areas — three from each of the state’s three senatorial zones.

“So far, 405 teachers have been trained, and more will follow as qualified educators are essential for the project’s success,” he said. “About 102 schools have been built, and another 170 are undergoing renovation. The goal is to ensure every child has access to education regardless of background.”

Lawal emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children and called on the media to support the ROOSC project through widespread awareness and advocacy.

In his remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Mbursa Madu, the Kaduna State Project Director for ROOSC under SCI, said the initiative will provide educational support to 100,000 children, including girls and children living with disabilities.

He described ROOSC as a multi-donor project supporting inclusive and equitable access to quality primary education for children aged 6–11, as well as adolescents and young adults aged 12–18. The project’s strategies are gender-sensitive, pro-poor, and focused on promoting inclusivity.

“The ROOSC project is committed to providing quality, sustainable, and affordable education for every child in Kaduna,” Madu said. “It aims to improve access, enrollment, participation, and completion rates in primary education.”

He added that the initiative is part of a broader advocacy and consultation effort designed to build stakeholder support within the state and education sector.

Highlighting the program’s objectives, Madu stated that ROOSC will:

Return 100,000 out-of-school children to classrooms.

Support over 32,000 pupils in non-state Qur’anic, Tsangaya, foundation, and neighborhood schools.

Distribute 500,000 teaching and learning materials.

Facilitate the recruitment and support of 3,200 teachers through allowances and honoraria.

Oversee the construction of 102 new schools across all 23 LGAs in the state.

He noted that the project, initiated under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, addresses educational challenges such as insecurity, inequality, disability, poor infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, and funding gaps.

“It is the goal of the Kaduna State Government that, even in the most difficult circumstances, every child can fulfill their right to safe, inclusive, and quality education that prepares them for the future,” Madu concluded.