By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in partnership with UNICEF, has stepped up efforts to tackle the rising number of out-of-school children in the state with the development of a strategic implementation plan under Project BRACE-UP.

The initiative, known as Building Rights to Access and Compulsory Education for Un-enrolled Pupils, formed the focus of a three-day stakeholders’ workshop held at the SUBEB headquarters in Makurdi.

Declaring the workshop open, the Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, described the growing number of children outside the classroom as a major social and developmental concern that requires urgent action from all stakeholders.

She noted that education should not end with school enrolment alone but must ensure that children remain in school and receive quality learning.

“The out-of-school children crisis remains a pressing development emergency. Our goal is not only to enroll children in school but to ensure sustained participation and meaningful learning outcomes,” she said.

Dr. Adagba disclosed that the Board had already facilitated the return of 500 children back to school across the state as part of ongoing intervention programmes.

She further announced plans by the Board to establish 50 non-formal education centres before September 2026 under the Accelerated Basic Education Curriculum (ABEC) to accommodate more vulnerable and un-enrolled children.

The SUBEB chairman praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to improving basic education and teacher welfare in the state, while also acknowledging the support of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in enhancing instructional delivery.

In her address, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, said Benue’s education challenges mirror the national crisis of out-of-school children driven by insecurity, displacement, poverty, and economic instability.

She explained that Project BRACE-UP was designed to promote shared responsibility among government agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, educators, and communities toward improving school enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes.

According to her, “The success of this initiative depends on collective accountability and commitment from all sectors of society.”

Also speaking, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting education development in Benue State, especially for vulnerable children and girls.

She urged stakeholders to prioritise inclusive education, particularly for children living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

“The future of every child matters, and education remains the foundation for societal growth and development,” she stated.

UNICEF Education Specialist, Enugu Field Office, Mr. Believe Eke, also pledged continued technical and resource support to ensure effective implementation of the programme and improved access to education for children across the state.

The workshop was attended by Education Secretaries, LGEA Heads of Social Mobilization, Representatives from the State Agency for Mass Education, Representatives from Budget and Economic Planning Commission, SUBEB,Training Institutions and Rev. Fr. Adasu University Makurdi.

Also in attendance at the stakeholders meeting were Board members as well as other key stakeholders which produced a practical, results-oriented implementation plan that would translate project BRACE-UP initiative into measurable impact.