From Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) has appealed to Bauchi state Government to increase funding for the state Agency to address the basic infrastructural needs of the Nomads.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Bashir Usman made the appeal at the occasion of stakeholders Engagement with Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed yesterday held at Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi.
Our Correspondent reports that the meeting was aimed at combating the prevalence out- of – school children across the Nomadic settlements throughout the country.
Professor Usman said that “we are in the state for a collaborative meeting aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenge of out-of-school children in Bauchi state in particular, and Nigeria at large as it relates to the education of nomadic children”.
The Commission’s Executive Secretary lamented the recent (2022) UNICEF report that the number of out- of- school children in Nigeria is about 10.5 million, “asserting that one in every five of the world’s out- of -school is in Nigeria”.
“This is indeed worrisome given the commitment of the present administration and the innovative strategies put in place to ensure that every Nigerian child receives quality education through on-going initiatives such as the Better Education Service Delivery for All(BESDA) and the Open Schooling Programme that is going to be rolled out soon,all aimed at addressing issues around access, quality and equalisation of educational opportunities as a panacea towards mopping out- of -school children”.
According to Professor Usman, “The Commission as one of the major stakeholders in the delivery of basic quality education to our migrant population, is responsible for ensuring that all these children are enrolled by stepping up advocacy, awareness raising and sensitisation amongst all the strata of stakeholders to stimulate appropriate responses and actions”.
While thanking the Governor Bala Mohammed – led administration for its commitment to the education of the nomads in the state, he appealed to the governor to increase funding to the State Agency for Nomadic Education through the provision of special Intervention funds to Address key needs of the nomads towards the provision of basic amenities.
He also enjoined relevant stakeholders in the state education sector, traditional, community and religious leaders to intensify mobilisation of nomadic communities to ensure that every child of school going -age is in school especially the girl- child.
Speaking at the event, the state commissioner of Education,Dr. Aliyu Tilde who represented the state Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed described conflict,climate change, migration and family disintegration as the major factors hindering the smooth operation of nomadic schools.
He challenged the National Commission for Nomadic Education to formulate various technological ways that include the use of iPads, Tablets, Smartphones,among others to improve nomadic education system..
Earlier, the Commission’s entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi,Dr. Sulaiman Adamu in his palace where Professor Bashir Usman informed the Emir they were in Bauchi for a collaborative meeting aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenge of out -of -school children in the state and Nigeria at large as it relates to the education of nomadic children.
Our Correspondent reports that various stakeholders including some nomadic pupils, Fulani leaders, Non Governmental Organisations(NGOs),Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association, among others graced the occasion.
