January 23, (THEWILL) – The United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said no fewer than 285,000 dropped children affected by insurgency have benefited from her education intervention in the two worst hit by the conflicts in the northeast region.
The Education Specialist, UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, Mustapha Shehu, disclosed this in preparation for International Day of Education with the “Learning for lasting peace” in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
He noted the initiative underscores a comprehensive approach to addressing the educational challenge posed by conflict, specifically emphasising inclusivity and quality learning for vulnerable children.
His projects focus on supporting the recovery of the Education systems in Maiduguri, Jere, Konduga, Damaturu, Nguru and Potiskum in Borno and Yobe States respectively.
“We are able to reach 275,000 vulnerable children between 6-17 years affected by the conflicts and have been empowered to overcome academic and social challenges. I can tell you within the first six months of this intervention they can read and write.
“Aside from 1035 government officials. At least 7200 educators and facilitators across 148 schools equally benefited from our project teaching at the right level (TaRL).”
He stressed that the project is successfully advancing towards its goals, focusing on improving teaching and learning approaches for conflict-affected foundational learning skills and the creation of a secure learning environment through inclusiveness.
He also added that over 32,000 girls developed crucial skills including psychological and interpersonal skills.
The Senior Education Advisor for the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria programme, British High Commission, Ian Attfield, who was in the region to assess the (PLANE-EiE), noted that he was impressed with the performance of the pupils.
The Head Teacher of Mohammed Aji Lawan Primary School Maiduguri, Barr Ngari Bukar, said the TaRL approach has tremendously impacted both the teachers and pupils, noting that the insurgency has adversely affected educational sectors.
The project was funded by the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria project of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Education Cannot Wait and implemented by UNICEF.
