Early childhood education key to reducing out-of-school crisis – Sokoto SUBEB

Executive Chairman of the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Umar Nagwari Tambuwal, has stressed that proper care and education at the early childhood stage are essential for raising emotionally and psychologically stable citizens.

Tambuwal made this submission on Tuesday in Sokoto during the opening ceremony of a two-day media dialogue workshop organised by SUBEB.

He noted that while education remains the foundation of development, it must be supported by qualified teachers and sound policies to achieve meaningful results.

“High-quality Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is not a luxury; it is the leveller of the playing field, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“When we miss the opportunity to provide early care, we inadvertently fuel the crisis of out-of-school children and school drop-outs” Tambuwal reiterated.

The workshop, themed: “ _Strengthening Early Childhood and Access to Quality Education in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States,”_ was organised in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and funded by the European Union.

Highlighting the importance of education to the future of the state, Tambuwal said the protection and empowerment of children would never be taken for granted.

He disclosed that about 66.4 per cent of school-age children in Sokoto State are currently out of school, representing hundreds of thousands of girls, orphans and Almajiri children at risk of remaining trapped in poverty and vulnerability.

He explained that the state government is already addressing the challenge through a comprehensive mapping and documentation exercise across the 23 local government areas, adding that 25 per cent of the affected children have been identified for targeted intervention.

“We are finding them where they are in the streets, in the rural villages, and in the Tsangaya centres,” he said.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Ala Ahmed, called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to build a strong educational foundation for children in the state.

Also speaking, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Michael Juma, described Early Childhood Care and Education as vital to producing a well-informed and progressive generation.

Similarly, while delivering a presentation on “ _Criticality of Investing in Early Years and the Importance of Early Childhood Education,”_ UNICEF Education Specialist Francis Elisha appealed to individuals, communities and institutions to support the education and welfare of children.

The workshop is expected to strengthen media engagement and advocacy for improved access to quality education across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.