The Kano state government in Nigeria is making strides in education for out-of-school women and adolescent girls through the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.
This World Bank-assisted project aims to improve secondary education opportunities for girls aged 10-20.
The program includes financial assistance through conditional cash transfers to encourage enrollment, retention, and completion of secondary school.
This support provides relief to underprivileged families and helps students stay in school.
In addition to cash transfers, the government offers free uniforms, desks, books, and other educational resources
Determined to ensure improved enrollment, retention and completion of secondary school, the government rolled out financial assistance of conditional cash transfer to pupils and students.
At a stakeholder sensitization engagement in Ajingi and Ghari Local Governments, the Special Assistant to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Education, Malam Kabiru Isa Usman, reiterated the determination of the government in ensuring that the women are given the second chance to obtain western Education in life.
He explained that, the conditional Cash transfer was designed to provide succour to the less privileged families and retain students.
“The declaration of state of emergency on Education in the state is for your success and we will continue to provide free uniforms, desks, books and other support for you to get education.”
The Coordinator AGILE Scholarship Conditional Cash Transfer CCT Hajiya Maryam Kabir informed parents and students that, the support from the AGILE is to complement their efforts to Education and not meant for personal use.
“We want proper utilization of the CCT assistant given to students till the completion of secondary school.”
I’m happy to see this turn out on the sensitization which is an indication of commitment and seriousness.”
The Director Mobilization, Agency for Mass Education Kano state Hajiya Abu Umar said Education of a girl child is a treasure to the society and relevant to all girls.
She encouraged both parents and students to ensure maximum use of the opportunity provided by Kano state Government.
Hajiya Abu told women not to consider marriage as a barrier to Education.
“You can obtain Education from matrimonial home and I encourage you to try your best and acquire it.”
Also, the Director Education support services from Kano state Ministry of Education Hajiya Halima Tukur expressed confidence that with AGILE activities, out of school will be history in the near future in Kano state.
The District Head of Gaya Alhaji Wada Aliyu, represented by Abdulqadir Abdullahi and other speakers lauded the initiative of Kano state Government in addressing out of school children and improving education for adolescent girls