By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has affirmed that education is a global resource for learning and the acquisition of relevant skills for opportunities in today’s world, adding that it promotes wellbeing while serving as a “catalyst for peace.”
The UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong T. Nguyen, stated this on Wednesday at the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Education (IDE) held at the El Kanemi Hall of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State.
The UNICEF Chief also said that more than half of all displaced children in the northeast of Nigeria are out of school while less than 40% of primary and secondary schools in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states (BAY) have teachers with low level of teaching qualifications resulting in ineffective learning of children are the foundation level
She further observed that for many children, the right to education has still not translated into the right to learn, hence the learning crises and other challenges that we are all trying to address.
“In northeast Nigeria and indeed communities affected by conflict across the world, education is a platform for the delivery of inclusive learning and psychosocial support. For children in armed conflict situations, education is a unique lifeline. It is a driver of peace and security.
“In collaboration with the Government humanitarian partners and donors such as Education Cannot Wait (ECW). We have made huge strides in the provision of quality, inclusive education for children affected by conflict.
“More girls and children living with disabilities are enrolling in school through regular enrolment campaigns and the provision of conducive learning environment with sanitation facilities across the northeast region.
“We are leveraging evidence from other contexts and collaborating with others to expand the frontiers of quality and inclusive education to children from minority ethnic groups.
” Learning materials in the Kanuri and Hausa languages have been produced so that children can learn in their mother tongue and at their own pace, before transiting to learning in the English Language.
“Every International Day of Education affords us the opportunity to look at how far we have come, we cannot lose sight of the huge gaps that still exist in reaching the most disadvantaged children in rural communities with quality and inclusive education,” Nguyen said.
She however added that as of today, more than half of all displaced children in northeast Nigeria are out of school and less than 40% of schools in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states have teachers level of teaching qualifications.
“From Gaza to Ukraine, Sudan to Nigeria, the 2024 theme, Learning for Lasting Peace, is a call to action for everyone working with children affected by conflict to model education as a catalyst for peace and security.
“Stakeholders, from government to humanitarian partners, must increase education financing. We must make sizable and sustainable investment in teachers’ recruitment and training; school infrastructure and security, including fortification of school infrastructure against climate change disruptions.
She charged education stakeholders , both public and private to redouble their efforts with innovative solutions even as the context of the operating environment is changing, assuring that UNICEF will continue to work with the Government, donors and other partners to raise the bar of education for girls and boys affected by conflict and give them a future.
Nguyen also urged the school children to continue to do their best at school and imbibe the values that quality education proffers,” saying,” Children, you are here today as learners, but you are also leaders. I cannot wait to see you at the top”.
Earlier, the Executive Director Unique Care and Support Foundation, Mr. Benjamin John in his welcome address said education is critical and a catalyst for societal development full of challenges that require commitment and dedication from all the stakeholders while appreciating all for attending the celebration.
He disclosed that the event will witness series of activities such as paper presentation, panel presentation , school quiz competition among three selected schools, poem presentation by students, prizes and awards presentation.
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