By Tasi’u Hassan
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has supported over three hundred thousand school children with essential learning materials in Adamawa State, to ensure the retention of children in schools and reduce the costs of education on parents.
During the flag-off of the distribution of the learning materials for the 2024/2025 academic session in Yola, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, Dr Tusher Rane, thanked the KFW of the Government of Germany for making the donation possible with their generous support that enables UNICEF to create an environment where every child can fulfil their potential and contribute positively to society.
Items distributed according to the UNICEF Chief are; 343,942 branded school bags, recreational kits for 247,877 students, exercise books for 165,053 female students, Early Childhood Development (ECD) Kits for 7,400 children and 370 teachers, as well as assorted pens, erasers, rulers, and sharpeners for 129,281 children schooling in 931 public schools across the state.
Tusher Rane, represented by UNICEF Education Consultant, Adamawa State, Mr. Joel Jutum, said the educational resources are provided to support UNICEF’s mission of reducing the number of out-of-school children, increasing retention, facilitating transitions, and ensuring the completion of education for every child in the society.
Dr Tusher Rane, who expressed the belief that children are more likely to stay in school and engage actively in their education when they have the necessary tools for learning, reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education and reducing the indirect cost of education on parents.
“These educational resources are provided to support our collective mission of reducing the number of out-of-school children, increasing retention, facilitating transitions, and ensuring the completion of education for every child in our community.
“Education is not a privilege but a fundamental right of every child. As we distribute these materials, we call on the Adamawa state government and other partners to continue strengthening our collaboration to ensure that more children enrol in schools, retain, complete, and transit to the next level.
“To the teachers, parents, and caregivers here today, your support and involvement in your children’s education is invaluable. Together, we can create an environment where every child can fulfil their potential and contribute positively to society through qualitative education. These materials must reach the intended beneficiaries and be used for their rightful purpose, Dr. Rane said.
He called for regular monitoring and supervision of the distribution and utilization of the donated materials and urged people to report any instances of suspected diversion to the appropriate authorities.
Commending the Adamawa government’s commitment to improving the education sector, the UNICEF Chief encouraged the government to prioritize the approval of the release of the Adamawa State Government’s counterpart contribution for the implementation of all Basic Education and Education in Emergency interventions in the state.
The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Dr Adamu Babikkoi, commended UNICEF’s dedication to the education sector in the state, saying the learning materials will undoubtedly play a crucial role in empowering young minds and ensuring they have the necessary tools to succeed in their educational journey.
“Your dedication to Adamawa State’s education sector is commendable and inspiring. These learning materials will undoubtedly play a crucial role in empowering our young minds and ensuring they have the necessary tools to succeed in their educational journey,” he said.
The Executive Chairman of Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), Dr Murtala Umar Boboyi, said the donation of learning materials underscores UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the educational outcome of Adamawa children, noting that the Board will take action in the event where the materials are seen in the market.
“We are deeply grateful to UNICEF for their steadfast support and partnership in advancing the cause of education in our dear state. Your contribution is an investment that seeks to ensure every child has equitable access to quality education, irrespective of gender, ability, religion, political, and cultural affiliation. Let me reiterate that these learning materials are not for sale, and we at the Board will have zero tolerance if these materials are seen in any business/commercial area”.
In an interview with our Correspondent shortly after receiving their materials during the flag-off, some pupils from Damare Primary School, Rukayyat Ahmed Sadiq and Mohammed Abubakar expressed gratitude to UNICEF and promised to utulise the materials to enhance their academic performance.
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