Advocacies for Kaduna State Government to approve a policy and implementation framework for the provision of Free and Compulsory Education for Girls in public schools in the State, have commenced by the Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF.
The State Government had announced in 2018, that it would begin free and Compulsory education for girls following high non completion rate among them, but without a supporting document for implementation and sustainability of the pronouncement.
It was against this backdrop, AMDF through the support from “Rise Up”, a programme of the Public Health Institute funded by the Cummins Foundation, got a nod to advocate for the policy formulation and adoption of Free and Compulsory education for Girls in public secondary schools in the State by among others:- strengthening partnership and engagement with key stakeholders and for the State Governor to approve the new policy and implementation framework.
This is aimed at creating a conducive learning environment for all girls in the State and inspire them to reach their goals and build a better future for their families, communities and the country as a whole.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to the State Ministry of Education on Tuesday, the Executive Director, Mr.Iliya Kure told the Commissioner, Dr.Shehu Usman Muhammad Makarfi that the AMDF had noticed that the pronouncement was applauded by people, but discovered that the policy document was not in place.
Mr.Kure stated that statistics from the State Government on girls education had shown a dismal picture of high rate of drop outs which should be addressed having attributed the situation to social cultural practices and poverty.
The Executive Director therefore assured the Commissioner that AMDF, a media organization which teaches development journalism would deploy its expertise in promoting girls education, which would also have positive impact on people’s health.
Mr. Kure used the occasion to congratulate the Commissioner for his well deserved appointment, pledging that the organization would continue working with him.
Also speaking, the Project Manager, Mr. Benjamin Yunana Maigari commended the government saying that the free education programme would impact positively on over two hundred and twenty thousand girls thereby reducing significantly, the number of girl drop outs in the State.
Responding, Dr. Shehu Makarfi said it was gratifying to have a committed NGO like AMDF with the interest of girls education and assured that the Ministry would fully collaborate with it.
The Commissioner disclosed that government was addressing all the issues hampering girls education in the State through a robust policy with improved access to schools and the involvement of all stakeholders.
“Girls education deserves encouragement and Iam always elated whenever one talks on girls education” he remarked.
Dr Shehu Makarfi therefore urged the NGO and others to continue to partner with the Ministry saying that government was enthusiastic in the education of girls.
