NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Environment

Strengthening WASH infrastructure for Girls’ Education in Kaduna

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By Aisha Gambo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The lack of proper Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in Nigerian schools continues to hinder students’ education, especially for girls.

Many students are forced to endure unsanitary conditions, leading to health risks, absenteeism, and disruptions in their learning.

Bilkisu Yahaya, a Senior Secondary 3 (SS3) student at Government Secondary School, Rigasa, in Igabi Local Government Area, struggles to relieve herself while in school.

The toilets remain locked due to a lack of water.

“We have toilets, but we don’t use them because there is no water to clean them. The solar-powered borehole we had is damaged.

“When I need to use the toilet, I either wait until I get home or go behind the classroom,” she explained.

Like Yahaya, many girls in her school face the same challenge following the breakdown of the borehole.

A visit by a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent to Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS) Maimuna Gwarzo in Unguwar Sunusi, Kaduna South Local Government Area, revealed a similar situation.

The toilets were also locked, in spite being constructed by the state government in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

The initiative was designed to provide safe and hygienic spaces for schoolgirls.

Hussaina Abudulkadir, a Junior Secondary 3 (JS3) student, revealed that she and her friends had resorted to open defecation due to the toilet closures.

“We have to buy sachet water or bring water from home to drink and clean ourselves,” she said.

The lack of functional WASH facilities in schools poses a serious threat to girls’ education in Nigeria.

Poor sanitation contributes to absenteeism, for menstruating girls, who struggle to attend classes without proper hygiene facilities.

According to the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), children under 18 are the most deprived of WASH facilities, with about 70 per cent lacking access to clean water and sanitation.

A UNICEF Nigeria report from 2021 revealed that only 37 per cent of schools had basic water supply services, while 35 per cent had basic sanitation services.

Additionally, just 30 per cent of schools had basic hygiene services, and only 11 per cent provided gender-sensitive WASH facilities.

The lack of these facilities disproportionately affects female students, especially during menstruation, leading to increased absenteeism.

The situation is worse in rural areas, where only 31 per cent of schools have access to basic water services, compared to 49 per cent in urban areas.

Similarly, sanitation access is lower in rural schools, with just 23 per cent having functional facilities, whereas urban schools fare slightly better at 44 per cent.

A report by WASH Nigeria highlights how poor WASH facilities contribute to increased school absenteeism and the spread of waterborne diseases, negatively impacting students’ health and academic performance.

Analysts say addressing this crisis requires government intervention, community involvement, and civil society engagement to ensure not just the provision but also the sustainable maintenance of WASH infrastructure in schools.

They opined that a proper WASH system in schools should include an improved water source with a reliable supply, separate, functional sanitation facilities for boys and girls, and handwashing stations with soap and water.

Although the Kaduna State Government, through the World Bank-funded AGILE Project, provided 2,629 WASH facilities in schools in 2022, many institutions struggle to maintain them.

A teacher at GGSS Maimuna Gwarzo, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that students are sometimes forced to fetch water from nearby staff quarters as a form of punishment.

“It has been over three months since the borehole broke down, so the toilets remain closed to prevent further damage, as they cannot be used without water,” she said.

In response to the situation, the Deputy Director of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health explained that the government has tasked School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) with maintaining school facilities, particularly WASH infrastructure.

“SBMC members are residents of the communities where the schools are located, and they are responsible for ensuring the facilities are maintained,” she stated.

Malam Auwal Abubakar, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Rigasa, confirmed that their solar-powered borehole failed a few months after installation in 2022.

“We contacted an engineer, who estimated the repair cost at ₦600,000, but our efforts, along with the SBMC, to raise the amount were unsuccessful,” he said.

“I wrote to AGILE about the issue and also spoke to the media. Eventually, AGILE sent a team of engineers who repaired the borehole a few weeks ago.

“Now, we have water, and the toilets are open for the girls to use,” he added.

Unfortunately, this is not the case at GGSS Maimuna Gwarzo, where the borehole remains faulty.

The school’s principal, Aisha Jummai, said she engaged the SBMC to find a solution, but the engine failure prevented water from being pumped.

“Parents have been reluctant to contribute to repairs because it is a public school offering free education,” she noted.

On the way forward, Dr Peter Adamu, a lecturer in the Department of Economics at Kaduna State University, has urged the government, communities, and civil society organisations to adopt a culture of maintenance.

“The government must develop a structured plan for school facility maintenance, including allocating funds for WASH and other essential infrastructure,” he said.

Adamu, who is also a member of the Civil Society on Open Budget and Open Contracting in Kaduna State, recommended hiring dedicated cleaners to maintain the toilets instead of assigning students, which disrupts their learning.

“Parents and community members must collaborate with school authorities to ensure facilities are properly maintained,” he added.

He also stressed that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have a role to play in reporting such issues to the government for swift intervention.

All in all, Stakeholders insist that the persistent neglect of WASH facilities in schools continue to disrupt girls’ education in Kaduna state.

While projects like AGILE have greatly improved access to WASH facilities, stakeholders say poor maintenance and limited community involvement remain key challenges.

To address this, they opined that the state government must integrate WASH facility maintenance into its Education Sector Plan (ESP).

This will ensure effective management and gender-responsive policies that prioritise girls’ needs.

Furthermore, it is believed that local communities and civil society organisations would play their part in providing essential sanitation facilities while ensuring a sustainable maintenance strategy. (NANFeatures)

Defence/Security

Troops ambush bandits, neutralise 3 in Chikun LGA

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Bandits
By Mohammed Tijjani

The Troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on Tuesday, ambushed bandits and neutralised three of them, off the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Kaduna.

Yahaya said, “In a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday ,  troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA successfully neutralised three Violent Extremists and Insurgents (VEIs) in an ambush at an area near Ngwagi Hill, Gwagwada Community, off the Kaduna – Abuja highway in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.”

The spokesman said that the success of the operation was based on response to credible intelligence that the VEI were sighted near Ngwagi Hill.

He said that troops were immediately deployed on long-range fighting patrol to the likely road-crossing point of the insurgents.

According to him the troops got to the location at about 5.30 p.m. on the same date and successfully launched the ambush, which effectively neutralised three armed members of the criminal group.

“During the operation, troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 rifle magazines, 374 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and 88 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 NATO ammunition.

Other items recovered were one Infinix mobile phone, medical supplies, clothings, and dry rations, ” Yahaya said.

He said that the success of the operation was a testament to the troops’ high fighting morale and combat efficiency.

“This achievement is also as a result of the effective collaboration between the military and intelligence agencies, which provided credible intelligence that informed the operation.

He said the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso  Saraso, commended the troops for their resilience and successful conduct of the operation.

He charged the troops not to relent on their oars until all criminal elements operating in the Division and the Sector’s area of operational responsibility were neutralised. (NAN)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni

General News

Kuwait commits to empower 200,000 out-of-school children in Kaduna

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Empowerment

By Sarafina Christopher

The Kuwaiti government has reiterated its commitment to empowering 200,000 out-of-school children in Kaduna State, through the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project.

Mr Salim Almuzayen, the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Nigeria, made this announcement during the 64th National Day and 34th Liberation Day commemoration of Kuwait in Abuja.

Almuzayen explained that the initiative aimed to provide equitable access to quality primary education, especially for children with disabilities, girls, and adolescents in Kaduna State.

He noted that the project, funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in collaboration with partners and UNICEF, was designed to support more than 200,000 students.

The Ambassador also highlighted the long-standing bilateral relations between Kuwait and Nigeria, dating back to the 1960s, when the Al-Sabah School was built in Kaduna.

“It reflects the depth of these historical relations and shows the potential for further cooperation in various areas between our two friendly countries,” he added.

On his part, Mr Adeolu Okenla, the Senior Councillor of the Middle East and Gulf Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lauded the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Kuwait.

These ties, he noted, began in 1971, with collaboration in political and economic areas.

Okenla explained that Kuwait’s National Day and Liberation Day were significant milestones in the country’s history.

“The National Day marks Kuwait’s independence from British protection in 1961, while the Liberation Day commemorates the country’s freedom from Iraqi occupation in 1991.

“Kuwait has made significant progress since then, becoming a wealthy and safe country with a high standard of living,” he said.

He further commended Kuwait for its contributions to regional peace and development, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Okenla also expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s free education policy, which spans from primary school to university and has contributed to a 96.46 per cent adult literacy rate in the country. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Court symbol
Judiciary

Retiree drags in-law to court for keeping wife

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By Aisha Gambo

A retiree, Sani Yakubu, on Thursday dragged his wife’s grandmother, Hajiya Fatima, to a Shari’a Court sitting in Rigasa, Kaduna, for refusing to allow his wife to return to his house.

The complainant told the court that his wife, Sumayya Sani, had left their matrimonial home in December 2024, almost two months after she gave birth.

“My wife told me that she was going to meet some of her relatives and then go back home because she couldn’t continue staying with me.

“She later said that I should write a divorce letter. When she didn’t come back home that day, I went to her family’s house the following day and her grandmother insisted I give her a divorce letter,” he said.

He prayed the court to intervene in the matter and compel Fatima to allow his wife to return to her matrimonial home.

On her part, the defendant told the court that she refused to allow her granddaughter to return to the complainant because he didn’t provide her food and failed to slaughter a ram after she gave birth to a baby.

Yakubu, however, denied not providing food for his wife, but agreed to not slaughtering a ram when she delivered a baby due to financial constraints.

When asked if what her grandmother said was true, the wife, who was also in court, answered in the affirmative, insisting that her husband was financially buoyant but just refused to provide for her.

“It is my decision not to go back to him and my grandmother supported me. I didn’t love him in the first instance; she was the one who insisted that I should marry him.

“Anytime I asked for money, he would say he didn’t have but he would send money to his girlfriend, maintaining that he was going to marry another wife,” she said.

The Judge, Malam Muhammad Adamu, ordered Sumayya to return to her matrimonial home, saying that not slaughtering a ram for the baby was not a tangible reason for divorce.

He ordered the complainant to continue to persuade his wife by behaving well to her and the child until she returned to her matrimonial home. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Features

Second Chance Education for Kaduna Girls: Challenges and way forward

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By Aisha Gambo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Bilkisu Aminu was just 16 when she was married off by her parents.

Coming from a less privileged background in Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna, young Bilkisu had keen interest in learning. She wanted to become a medical doctor.

“When a well-to-do suitor came to my house seeking my hand in marriage, I told him I would continue my education after marriage because I was in JSS 1 when he proposed.

“But he refused, he said he didn’t want me to go to school after marriage and my dad didn’t give me the support I needed; so I kept begging even after marriage.

“I kept my uniform in a safe place because I love school and would want to return.

Aminu is now 21 and divorced with a child. Her interest in learning is reignited. She wants to go back to school but does not know where to start.

According to a report by Save the Children78 per cent of girls in the northern region of Nigeria are married before the age of 18, while 44 per cent of girls are married before their 18th birthday in the whole country.

The report titled “State of the Nigerian Girl Report – An Incisive Diagnosis of Child Marriage” shows that child marriage is more prevalent in the northwest and northeast of Nigeria.

The report also states that 48 per cent of girls were married by age 15 and 78 per cent were married by age 18.

A survey by the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics in 2020 shows that 31.1 per cent of children within the primary school age were out of school.

It also showed that 31.9 per cent of children within the junior secondary school age were out of school in the state.

Kaduna State’s Second Chance Policy

The Kaduna State School Census Report 2020 revealed that 25 per cent of adolescent girls dropped out of school. This is due to factors like early marriage, insecurity and poverty, among others.

With this development, the Kaduna state government developed an Education Policy in 2019 which made provision for Second Chance Education (SCE)

The state also developed a 10-year Education Sector Plan (ESP) named Kaduna State 2019 – 2029 Education Sector Strategic Plan.

The plan is a comprehensive and strategic framework developed with the support of development partners to guide planning, implementation and evaluation of education policies and programmes.

UNICEF says to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is inclusive and equitable quality education for all, a Gender-Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) is essential.

The Director of Planning, Kaduna State Ministry of Education, Salisu Lawal, stated that SCE is being implemented with support from development partners for girls who dropped out because they got married.

He said the programme had so far reached 14 communities in 10 Local Government Areas across the state with about 700 drop-out married adolescent girls benefitting since inception in 2018.

Aisha Muhammad, Deputy Director,  Female Education stated that the department creates awareness in communities and engages traditional and religious leaders on the need for drop-out married girls to go to school.

“Those leaders now announce in churches and mosques urging girls interested in going back to school to join the programme.

“We also engage husbands and show them the importance of education to their wives and family at large.

“Some will agree while others will not and some of the adolescent girls who dropped out to get married may later get divorced.

“Others may lose their husbands and come back to school while some who dropped out of school due to medical challenges would want to go back to school.

She said that the ministry is planning to scale up the programme to other local government areas.

Beneficiaries’ Plea

Rabi’at Aliyu, an enrollee in SCE, called on the government to adjust the school time for married women, saying most married women find it hard to be in school in the morning.

Aliyu, who married at the age of 15, could not complete her secondary education as she dropped out of school after JSS 3.

After having her first child, Aliyu decided to go back to school but her husband would not allow her.

She eventually got divorced and remarried. The new husband is supportive; he allowed her to go back to school.

Aged 21, Aliyu enrolled in Government Secondary School, Rigasa and is now in SS 2.

“My challenge started when I got pregnant; I had to go on a break because it wasn’t easy and the school authorities understood.

“Whenever there is a need for me to go back home during school hours, the school authorities allow me because they are aware I’m married.

“I want to become a journalist that is why I’m not giving up,” she said.

Another beneficiary attending Government Secondary School (GSS), Rido in Chikun LGA, Nafisa Aminu, who is a nursing mother, urged the government to include virtual learning in the SCE programme

“We go to school late due to house chores and children; my attention is usually divided since we are not allowed to bring babies to the class.

“If we can get a crèche where we can keep our children till lessons are over, it will help us a lot; we can learn online or on radio just like the way it happened during COVID-19,” she said.

Experts advocate programme flexibility, awareness 

In spite of efforts by the state government to sustain the SCE policy, some experts are of the view that more needs to be done for effective implementation.

Barr. Jennifer Abaji , Founder, Basileia Vulnerable Persons Rights Initiative (BVPRI), stated that one of the things stopping married adolescent girls from joining the second chance education programme is insufficient flexibility.

“We are advocating for the Kaduna state government to leverage ICT to make this second chance education programme more flexible.

“That means instead of the girl getting worried about always getting to school, the school can get to the married adolescents through remote learning.

“Our organisation has successfully convinced the government to allow out-of-school married adolescents to be able to learn from home leveraging ICT.

“We are glad that the government has bought into it and they are excited to review the second chance programme and they promised to invite us to the review of the entire policy,” he said.

According to Abaji, the second chance programme has not been fully utilised saying it would have reached more people if it was flexible.

She recommended that skills acquisition should be added to the programme so that married girls can be able to solve some small financial issues and take care of themselves properly.

Abaji called on the government to ensure that these out-of-school married adolescents are able to have access to the technological tools needed to learn remotely.

As some experts advocate the flexibility of the programme by leveraging ICT, others are calling for intensified awareness campaigns on the programme.

Mrs Margaret John, the principal of Babban Sauran Junior Secondary School stated that most of the girls who are interested in going back to school are not well informed about the programme.

“The government needs to step up in advertisement in jingles both on television and radio.

“It should also use government schools to invite communities around and inform them on the need to bring out these interested girls.

“Most of the problem now is that they are not even aware of the opportunities and if they do, the response would be very interesting,” she said.

Stakeholders however agree that the SCE policy of Kaduna State represents a transformative initiative to address the educational challenges faced by adolescent girls, particularly those impacted by early marriage and other socio-economic barriers.

While significant progress has been made in providing opportunities for school dropouts to return to learning, much remains to be done to enhance its impact.

Flexibility in the programme, including virtual learning options and provision of childcare facilities, as well as the integration of skills acquisition, can help address the unique needs of married girls and young mothers.

Moreover, intensified awareness campaigns are crucial to ensuring that more girls and their families are informed about the programme’s existence and benefits.

As the Kaduna State government works to scale up the initiative, collaboration with stakeholders and leveraging technology will be key to ensuring that no girl is left behind in the pursuit of education.

By empowering these young women, the state not only transforms their lives but also strengthens the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous society. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria

Defence/Security

Police’ll partner PCRC to fight cybercrimes, others in Kaduna–CP

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By Mohammad Tijjani

The Kaduna State Police Command says it will leverage the emergence of a new executives of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to combat the growing menace of cybercrimes in the state.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), AIG Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this on Thursday in Kaduna at the inauguration of a 26-member new executives of PCRC in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new executive is headed by an elder statesman, Alhaji Sanusi Mohammed, including a Deputy Editor-in-Chief (DEIC) of the agency, Alhaji Abdul Hassan as Deputy Secretary.

NAN also reports that the oaths of office were administered on the new executives by a retired Assistant Editor-in-Chief (AEIC) of NAN, Alhaji Tanko Dada, National Vice Chairman, North-Central.

According to Ibrahim, the command will also actively partner with the committee to fight a myriad of crimes and all forms of criminality across the state.

Represented by the Officer-in-Charge of Community Policing, CSP Titus Ibrahim, the CP decried that vibrant youths were involving themselves in cybercrimes and other forms of criminality.

“We will therefore team up with the new PCRC executives in the state to reverse the ugly trend so as to channel the huge potential of the youths to positive use,” Abdullahi said.

The CP further commended the committee for being an active partner of the Nigeria Police Force, saying that the members have been part of the success story of the command.

Abdullahi also underscored their role in gathering credible intelligence and the execution of many developmental projects.

The National President of PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, also expressed delight that the committee in the state was more united and poised to take it to greater heights.

According to Olaniyan, the committee will also partner the various transport unions in the state to stem the tide of the movement of illicit drugs and illegal firearms,.among other crimes.

He said that PCRC was strongly committed to assisting the Police and other security agencies to guarantee the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Olaniyan, who vowed that the peace in the Kaduna PCRC would be permanent, however warned against insolence, indiscipline, impersonation and insubordination by any member.

He charged the members to be absolutely committed, loyal and dedicated, so as to take PCRC to greater heights.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Mansur Hassan, promised to work round the clock with the committee to further improve policing.

He also corroborated the CP on the need to ensure the productive use of the energies of the youths for national development.

In his acceptance speech, the new PCRC Chairman promised to be diligent and patriotic in the discharge of the all-important national assignment.

He commended the members and national leadership of the committee for reposing tremendous confidence in him and his colleagues.

Mohammed said, “We will piously uphold this utmost trust and confidence reposed in us and we will never fail you.

“We will do our best to take PCRC to greater heights and bolster the security of lives and property of the people of the state and by extension, Nigerians.

“The new PCRC team will also work round the clock to assist the Police in all their activities as this is a clarion call for more dedication and uprightness.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

General News

NRC expands Abuja-Kaduna train schedule to 6 daily services

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By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has increased the number of train services on its Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six per day, Monday through Friday.

The acting Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Ben Iloanusi, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Yakub Mohmood, the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the NRC.

Iloanusi noted that this was in reaffirming of NRC’s commitment to responding to customer demands, improving customer satisfaction and tackling complaints of ticket racketeering.

“A trend analysis over a five-month period revealed a significant increase of 22 per cent in the number of new passengers registering on the ticket platform to use the Abuja-Kaduna service.

“This signifies a surge in the number of Nigerians turning to the use of train services as a comfortable, reliable and safe option of commuting.

“NRC has observed similar trends on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe and Port Harcourt-Aba routes and efforts are already ongoing to beef-up services along these routes as well,” he said.

He assured Nigerians of the increased presence of senior management of NRC across all the train service routes to drive continuous efficiency and tackle the issue of ticket racketeering head-on.

“Our valued customers are encouraged to use NRC ticket platforms online to take advantage of the increased services and shun patronage of ticket racketeers,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Features

Integrating gender response into Kaduna State education budget

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By Aisha Gambo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Education is catalyst to social, economic and national development. To achieve their potential, governments at all levels are encouraged investments in the sector.

Investment in education has the potential enhance access to quality teaching and learning process for upcoming generations and boost enrolment.

Such investment should not only be in the form of infrastructure but also instructional materials and capacity building for teaching and non-teaching.

This stimulates a safe environment and provides equal opportunities for girls and boys to be empowered and educated.

These equip them with the necessary skills realise their full potential and contribute to societal development.

However, some cultural and societal norms in Nigeria prioritise the education of boys over girls.

This has resulted to gender disparities in education attainment as girls face other barrier to access and complete their education.

According to UNICEF 7.6 million girls are Out Of School in Nigeria while 3.9 million at the primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.

UNICEF further said that 48 per cent of OOS girls are in the northwest and northeast.

A survey by Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics in 2020 shows that 31.1 per cent of children within the primary school age are out of school, adding that 31.9 per cent of children within the junior secondary school age are out of school in the state.

However, the survey also revealed that the distribution of out-of-school cases in the state consist of 63.7 per cent male and 36.3 per cent female.

Government interventions in enhancing gender responsive education. 

Over the years the Kaduna state government has increased budgetary allocation to education sector to reinvigorate basic and post basic levels to enhance access to free and quality for all.

For instance, the state government earmarked N26. 2 billion for Education in 2024 approved budget.

The sum of N12.5 billion was allocated to the ministry of education; N2.7 billion to State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB)while the remaining N11 billion was shared among the state-owned tertiary institutions; schools quality assurance authority and library board.

The state also developed a 10-year Education Sector Plan (ESP) named Kaduna State 2019 – 2029 Education Sector Strategic Plan.

It is a comprehensive and strategic framework developed with support of development partners to guide planning, implementation and evaluation of education policies and programmes.

UNICEF says achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is inclusive and equitable quality education for all, a Gender-responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) is essential.

This is because GRESP is a holistic approach to advancing gender equality in and through education, including learning and learning environments, teacher education and practice, curriculum and administration among others.

To advance gender equality in education, education systems need to be gender responsive by design which include funding of girl child education.

At the Kaduna State ministry of education, an exclusive department for gender ,now female education was created to tackle issues related to girl child education.

Each year, the department is funded to execute gender related programmes such as second chance education, sensitisation on gender based violence, creation of water and sanitation facilities in schools among others.

The director of planning in the ministry, Salisu Baba-Lawal, said that government prioritises gender equality and social inclusion as such has allocated a large sum of money to achieve it.

“We have provisions for gender in our annual budget which fund gender related projects.

” In 2021, a sum of N7 million was allocated to gender, N4 million was budgeted for the year 2022, N5 million allocated in 2023 and in 2024 , N12 million was allocated to female education”, he said.

Following the money

For many years, the gender department in the Kaduna State ministry of education has been conducting activities that address challenges of both girls.

But with the recent review in 2024, which changed the department’s name to female education it now prioritises female education.

However, that doesn’t stop it from conducting activities or projects that would benefit the male gender.

Though a detailed breakdown of the budget expenditures were not made available, the department explained the programmes and projects they conducted.

The Deputy Director, Female Education, Hajiya Aishatu Muhammad, that explained that the ministry had provided second chance for girls who dropped out of school due to early marriage or pregnancy.

She said that school uniforms, socks and sandals were provided for the girls while teachers were paid stipends for staying over time as most classes were done in the afternoon.

Another project the ministry was to provide Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools with boys and girls having separate toilets to ease themselves during school hours.

Abdullahi said the ministry with the support from World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project built toilets and boreholes making the school environment conducive for the girl child.

“It may interest you to know that, the ministry of education in collaboration with AGILE, nominated amongst the existing staff we have in the school ,a  Gender Based Violence (GBV) focal person.

“We even have a Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM)   officer and we have a suggestion box in the schools to serve as a channel for reporting incidents”, she said.

Abdullahi, who doubles as the AGILE focal person, said that since the implementation of the project, the enrolment, retention and completion of female students has increased as they now feel more comfortable learning.

Parents, expert call for improvement

Malama Hajara Abubakar, a widow and a mother of four girls, recounts her struggle in ensuring her children get an education.

“Their father died when three of them were in junior secondary school; I had to do menial jobs to get them learning materials and pay other expenses the schools may request even though it’s a public school.

“But when they completed their SS 3 I couldn’t afford to pay for their exams, so I married them off; I wanted them to further their education but couldn’t.

“So when my youngest daughter completed SS3, I raised N10, 000 and pleaded with my neighbour who was a head a teacher in a private school to assist me and she did.

“Now that girl is working and taking care of me ‘, she said.

Abubakar says there are many parents like her who cannot afford to pay for their children’s final exams, and urged governments to look into the matter.

In spite government’s effort to provide free and quality education to children and return out of school children to schools to school, some education experts say there is still need for improvement.

Hadiza Umar, founder of communication for children and international development, while commending Kaduna State Government’s effort in address gender parity in schools said there was need for gender related programmes and policies to be scaled up.

She also said some of the programmes like the second chance education, sexual health reproductive awareness campaign among others should cut across all the schools in the state.

Umar says giving free education to girls but leaving them to pay for their senior secondary school exams would not achieve the desired results.

“Government should focus on paying for SSCE and JAMB because most of them can’t move forward and can’t get certificates to continue to even get a job.

“They cannot get admission and are unable a job that can help them generate some funds and further her education’’, she said.

While some experts advocate payment of Senior Secondary School exams fees, others demand effective monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of gender programmes.

Dr Hassana Shuaibu, Senior programme Officer, Ace Charity, says a breakdown on the expenditure of the female education budget should be available to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation.

She reiterated the need for an education sector plan that is gender responsive and the importance of funding of GRESP as well as transparency and accountability of the education budgeting. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria**

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