Education stakeholders from Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states gathered in Kano to discuss ways to increase funding for Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE).
In his remarks Chief of UNICEF field office Kano, Mr Rahma Farah Muhammad Rihood Farah, explained that, the initiative is crucial as ECCDE lays the foundation for basic and post-basic education, setting the stage for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Represented by UNICEF Kano Field Office Education Manager, Michael Banda,he emphasized that early childhood education makes children more productive and dedicated to their work. hence the need for every states to reflect on it and ensure strong foundations are laid by investing and putting more resources in early childhood development.
He pointed out that, the northwest in which the three states are part of has 42 percent of participation rate of children who are in early childhood age and have attended any form of organized early childhood while the northeast has a precarious situation with only 40 percent.
“When you look at the national average of 63 percent, compared to the South-South where 90 percent of their children have at least attended one form of organised early childhood care and development”
In his remarks, the Jigawa state SUBEB Chairman, Professor Musa, commended UNICEF for supporting the capacity building of educators, teachers and caregivers in the states.
He stressed that early childhood education tends to develop the mind of a child which makes learning easy for both the child and teacher.
The chairman however called on Parents especially mothers to play a complimentary role in motivating their children to develop interest in education.
The two-days Evidence Advocacy and Policy Dialogue meeting was organised by the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) with support from UNICEF field office Kano.
Paradigm News reports that, the project is funded by European Union through the Education and Youth Empowerment (EYE) implemented in Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto states.