By Abbas Bamalli
No fewer than 5,600 school bags have been distributed to vulnerable adolescent boys and girls across 10 public secondary schools in Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, disclosed this during the distribution of 500 kits at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Fago.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the learning kits were distributed by Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, with support from Cuppy Foundation.
The commissioner, represented by the Director of Schools (Junior), Kabir Dodo, said the beneficiaries received school bags, exercise books, biros and other items.
He said the intervention would reduce the burden on parents, improve school attendance and enhance learning outcomes among vulnerable children.
Jibia commended Save the Children, the Cuppy Foundation and other development partners for supporting education in the state.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Dikko Radda’s administration to provide inclusive and quality education through partnerships.
According to him, the benefiting schools include GJSS Fago, GJSS Sandamu, GJSS Kwasarawa, GJSS Rijiyar Tsamiya, GSS Kagare, GJSS Lemon, GJSS Tsadoji, GJSS Karkarku, Smart School Kwasarawa, and GJSS Katsayal.
Earlier, the Principal of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Fago, Bishir Salisu, said the 5,600 school bags had been distributed across the 10 beneficiary schools in Sandamu.
He added that SCI was also implementing the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), Reading Club, Safe Space and School Father and Aunty programmes to improve pupils’ learning and well-being.
The SCI Education Officer, Abubakar Sadiq-Fema, said the learners’ kits were sponsored by the Cuppy Foundation through the support of philanthropist Femi Otedola.
Sadiq-Fema said the project began in Rimi Local Government Area in 2019 before expanding to Sandamu, adding that it would continue until 2031.
Representatives of the Sandamu Local Government Education Authority, the traditional institution and the School-Based Management Committee commended the initiative and pledged continued support.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Yakubu Uba