Appraising Uba Sani’s Bold Rescue of Kaduna’s Out-of-School Children
Abdulkareem Kubau The truest measure of an education policy is not the elegance of its declarations, but the number of children whose lives it changes. In Kaduna State, Governor Uba
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has demonstrated his commitment to education reform by prioritizing the issue of out-of-school children. The state has allocated a significant portion of its budget to education each year, with primary school teachers' retirement age increased and new teaching positions created. Classroom infrastructure has been improved, and school feeding programs have been implemented to boost retention rates.
However, Governor Sani recognizes that merely constructing classrooms is insufficient to address the root causes of children's exclusion from education.
The Reaching Out-of-School Children Project (ROOSC) is the cornerstone of Governor Sani's education strategy. Funded with $62.8 million, the initiative spans all 23 local government areas and aims to enroll 100,000 out-of-school children and benefit 1.2 million learners. ROOSC combines state funding with grants and technical support to tackle the multifaceted issue of exclusion.
The project includes building and renovating schools, training teachers, providing learning materials, and implementing flexible learning routes for children who cannot attend traditional schools.
Early results indicate the success of ROOSC, with over 26,000 children enrolled and thousands benefiting from accelerated education, catch-up clubs, and radio lessons. Teacher training and competency assessments have also shown positive outcomes. The project's most significant achievement lies in its use of evidence-based mapping, which identifies the specific locations and reasons for children's absence from school, enabling targeted interventions.
This data-driven approach allows Kaduna State to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that schools are built where needed, teachers are recruited where necessary, and support systems are in place for vulnerable learners. By focusing on the child and addressing the economic barriers to education, Governor Sani's approach has transformed Kaduna State's education landscape, restoring hope and opportunity for thousands of children.
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