A Round Table Session on the Validation of the Investment Case developed for the Reintegration of married girls and adolescent mothers into formal education in Kaduna State, has been held.
The document proposes a comprehensive reintegration programme aimed at supporting married girls and adolescent mothers to return to and remain in formal education in the State.
The target beneficiaries are dropped out of school due to economic constraints, poverty, early marriage and pregnancy, household economic pressure, low prioritisation of girls’ education within families, religious and socio. – cultural constraints, among others
According to the study, the current policy landscape does not sufficiently address the specific barriers faced by married girls and adolescent mothers in areas, such as reintegration, support childcare provision, financial assistance and socio reintegration.
The gap between policy intent and implementation, the document highlights, underscores the need for a targeted and well financed investment approach.
Strengthening integration pathways for married girls and adolescent mothers, the document further highlights, requires not only policy alignment but also strategic investment to address economic, institutional and socio- cultural barriers that continue to limit access to education in the State.
The Study, according to the team, applies a human capital based analytical framework to estimate the economic returns of integrating married girls and adolescent mothers into formal education in the State. The approach, it emphasized, follows standard methodologies commonly used by institutions, such as the World Bank in evaluating investment in education.
The target population for the study, the researchers pointed out,, was derived from demographic and education data for Kaduna State indicating approximately 2 .93 million adolescent girls.aged 15- 19 in the State, based.on population projection from the National Bureau of Statistics and the National Population Commission.
Out of school rates among adolescent girls in North West Nigeria including Kaduna State, the findings said, range between 40 and 60 per cent, citing Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and UNICEF through which the Study got an estimate number of out of school girls and adolescent mothers to be further clarified with the State Bureau of Statistics.
The document does not only highlights total investment required, total economic returns and Net economic gains, but a high impact, high return investment with transformative effects on economic growth, poverty reduction and gender equality.
Participants at the round table session, drawn from relevant agencies and other stakeholders applauded the researchers .
While suggesting stronger collaboration among relevant agencies, the participants however expressed doubt over the implementation of the well packaged document by policy makers, as has always been.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Program Officer, Grace Maikano who stood in for the Executive Director, Teenage Network, Olanike Timipa-Uge enjoined the participants to make their input which she said, was essential to ensure accuracy and buy-in from all parties..
