From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has unveiled a comprehensive and strategic framework to reducing the state’s growing population of out-of-school children and addressing what officials describe as an education crisis.
Governor Muhammadu InuwaYahaya signed the Framework of Action during a high-level engagement with UNICEF’s Chief of Bauchi Field Office (BFO), Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, at the Government House, Gombe.
The new framework jointly developed by the state and UNICEF focuses on four key result areas for strategic engagement and responsiveness of political actors; strengthening best practices and identifying alternative solutions; enhancing community accountability, mobilize and leveraging technology and innovation to expand access to quality learning for the out of schoolchildren.
Speaking during the signing, Governor Yahaya described the high number of out-of-school children, particularly in the North-East, as a “national emergency” aggravated by insecurity and large-scale displacement. He noted that Gombe had absorbed thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from neighbouring states, placing additional pressure on the state’s education infrastructure.
“Our target is to cut the number of out-of-school children in Gombe by at least half before 2030. We are fully committed to this goal, meeting all counterpart funding obligations, and working closely with UNICEF and other partners,” he said.
In her remarks, Dr. Rafique commended the state’s political will and measurable progress in education, health, nutrition, and child protection. She commended the state’s actors for the passage of the Child Rights Act and Disability Law, alongside proactive investments in basic services.
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