Tribune News Network
Doha
Education Above All Foundation’s (EAA) Educate A Child programme and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have announced the successful completion of their collaborative project ‘Improving Access to Education for Conflict-Affected Children in Northeast Nigeria’.
The two-year initiative targeted the enrolment of out-of-school-children (OOSC) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States of Northeast Nigeria areas severely affected by extremist violence and insurgency.
Against a goal of reaching 20,000 of the most marginalised OOSC with quality primary education, the project not only met, but exceeded this goal by ultimately enrolling 21,589 children between the ages of seven and 14 into non-formal education, surpassing the target by eight per cent.
The establishment of 643 non-formal education centres within community primary schools, along with the renovation of 29 classrooms, has provided these children with a much more conducive-learning environment.
The joint project also achieved significant success in transitioning enrolled children into the formal education system, thereby bridging the education gap. In addition, bursary support, in the form of scholastic materials (exercise books, pencils and a school bag) at the point of enrolment, proved critical and reached 14,213 children (7,268 girls and 6,945 boys) across 48 formal primary schools in the states.
In response to concerns related to the volatile security situation, the project implemented robust mechanisms to enhance the safety of children traveling to and from school and during their time at school.
Dr Mary Joy Pigozzi, executive director of EAA’s Educate A Child programme, expressed appreciation at the project’s achievements in light of the challenges that conflict poses.
She said, “This project exemplifies our commitment with our partners to providing quality primary education to those affected by barriers beyond their control, in this case, insecurity and conflict. Exceeding the OOSC enrolment target is not only a testament to the positive impact we can have on the lives of children, but the fact that we can enable children to realise their right to education in extremely challenging circumstances as well.”
