Plan International Nigeria and GoalPrime Organisation Nigeria (GPON) have launched a humanitarian project to improve education for no less than 8000 children in Borno State, Nigeria.
The project, supported by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection (ECHO), will provide quality formal and non-formal education to children in Damboa and Kala Balge, two of the most affected areas by the Boko Haram insurgency. It will also focus on improving learning opportunities and a protective environment through strengthened formal and non-formal education services.
Plan International in a statement, said that the project will cover different initiatives such as the construction or rehabilitation of temporary learning spaces or classrooms, distribution of menstrual hygiene management/dignity kits, provision of teaching and learning kits, training for teachers, and strengthening of school-based management committees.
According to the organisers, the project will also help to address protection concerns within formal and non-formal schools.
“This project is a critical step in providing quality education to the children of Borno State, many of whom have been out of school for a long time,” said Charles Usie, Country Director of Plan International Nigeria.
“We are grateful for the collaboration we receive from the Borno government and for ECHO’s support, which will allow us to reach thousands more children who have been affected by the North East crisis in the past 13 years,” he added.
During his remarks, Christopher Oguegbu, country director, GOALPrime Organization Nigeria said the project will help ensure that all children in Borno State access learning opportunities.
“Based on our experience working in the North East of Nigeria, we understand that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. This project will help to ensure that all children in Borno State have the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.”
The new project is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically, SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The project is expected to benefit 8,865 girls and boys, including 1,200 out-of-school children. Also, 30 volunteer teachers on the Accelerated Basic Education programme will receive training courtesy of the project.
