Save the Children International has commenced distribution of educational kits to 1,052 marginalised and vulnerable out-of-school children across nine communities in Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State, in a renewed effort to expand access to basic education.
The flag-off ceremony, held at Walowol Gugu Primary School, marked the beginning of the intervention supported by Education Cannot Wait. The initiative is designed to accelerate access to inclusive, quality education while strengthening a resilient and sustainable learning system for children excluded from formal schooling.
Representing Garba Pella, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Education at the event, Bappa Mohammed commended Save the Children International for its commitment to ensuring that out-of-school children have the opportunity to acquire basic education. He described the intervention as timely and critical to addressing the growing number of children deprived of learning opportunities.
He urged parents and community leaders to actively support the accelerated learning programme and ensure that beneficiaries participate fully. According to him, community ownership remains vital to the success and sustainability of such educational interventions.
Earlier in her address, Maryam Birdling a representative of SCI, explained that the programme is focused on increasing access to quality and inclusive basic education for vulnerable children. She disclosed that 1,052 learners drawn from nine communities in Yola South LGA are benefiting from the initiative.
The benefiting communities include Yelwa, Wurocheki, A Namtari, Damare, TC Demonstration, Wurojabbe, Walowol Gugu, Wuroyanka, and Ngurore Central.
She further revealed that the learners would undergo a nine-month accelerated learning process, after which they would be integrated into the formal school system. The programme, she noted, is structured to equip the children with foundational literacy and numeracy skills necessary for a smooth transition into conventional classrooms.
Speaking on behalf of the host community, Shuaibu Ali, the Mai Unguwa, expressed appreciation to SCI and its partners for bringing the initiative to the area. He observed that the programme has already begun to inspire other children to develop an interest in education, with some voluntarily joining the learning groups.
However, he highlighted insecurity as a major challenge confronting the communities. According to him, both students and teachers have experienced harassment, which poses a threat to consistent school attendance and effective teaching.
He called on government authorities to intensify efforts to address security concerns and create a safe environment conducive to learning.
The distribution of educational kits is expected to ease the financial burden on vulnerable families while reinforcing efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Adamawa State.
