Traditional rulers in Bauchi State have expressed their readiness to work with the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the State Universal Basic Education Board, to wage war against the lingering out-of-school children crisis in the state.
The Emir of Bauchi, who doubles as the Chairman of the Bauchi State Council of Emirs, Rilwanu Adamu, expressed the commitment on Sunday at a one-day State Level Consultative meeting on the 2024-2025 Enrolment Drive Campaign.
Adamu explained that the emirs are ready to lead the campaign to return the out-of-school children to school.
The emir also stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders in order to overcome the challenges in the education sector.
According to him, “The Council is committed to ensuring that all teachers perform their duties diligently, parents send their children to school, and traditional leaders at various levels are mobilised for the success of the campaign,” he noted.
The traditional ruler continued, “I want to restate the commitment of the Council and hope that all issues raised and deliberated here would be implemented to the letter.”
On her part, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Bauchi State, Nuzhat Rafique called on the traditional institutions to advocate for a holistic implementation and rollout of the State Child Protection Law 2023.
She urged them to advocate for increased investment in education from the current budgetary allocation of 16 per cent to a minimum of 20 per cent, as well as the recruitment and deployment of qualified teachers, among others in the state.
Rafique who hailed Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for his continued partnership with UNICEF in a bid to improve the education outcomes in the state, emphasised that “Education is not just a tool for personal growth, but a fundamental right that empowers individuals, strengthens communities and transforms societies.
“We are deeply concerned with the rate of out-of-school children and low learning achievements in the country, especially in the North-East region and Bauchi State inclusive.”
According to her, the situation calls for a concerted effort by the relevant stakeholders to address the challenges in the state.
