The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Kano Field Office, in collaboration with the governments of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, commemorated the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025. The event aimed to highlight the significance of education in fostering a well-informed, inclusive, and peaceful society.
The UNICEF Kano Field Office Chief, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, emphasized the alarming rate of out-of-school children in the region. According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, approximately 10.2 million children at the primary level are out of school in Nigeria, with 16% of them from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.
Farah added that the education sector in the region faces numerous challenges, including:
“The high number of out-of-school children, particularly in Kano state, where 32% of primary school-going age children are out of school.
“Poor learning outcomes, with only 1 in 4 children in Nigeria able to read and understand a simple sentence or solve basic arithmetic.
“ Insufficient funding for the education sector, despite budgetary allocations meeting and exceeding the UNESCO benchmark in some states.
“Flooding has damaged or destroyed school buildings and facilities, disrupting learning for thousands of children.”Farah said
Mr Farah However said UNICEF has been working with the governments of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states to address the challenges facing the education sector. Some of the initiatives include:
Supporting vulnerable families to access education through cash transfers.
“ Partnering with communities, traditional leaders, and decision-makers to improve access to education
“Supporting the provision and effective use of school grants to improve access to quality inclusive education.
“Supporting the integration and curriculum and training for Mallams/Qur’anic school proprietors.
“Establishing and strengthening school-based management committees (SBMCs) and community-based management committees ” he said
Meanwhile Mr Rahama Rahood Farah said On this International Day of Education, UNICEF calls on the governments of Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states to,Increase Appropriation, Release, and Spending on Basic Education.
Also to tackle the Challenge of Access to Education.Expand School Infrastructure.Recruit More Qualified Teachers,Address the Emerging Impact of Climate Change on Learning
UNICEF expresses appreciation to its partners, including the European Union and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, for their support in improving the education sector in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states.