STAKEHOLDERS PRAISE KADUNA'S ROOSC MODEL AS FG UNVEILS NEW REFORMS TO ADDRESS ALMAJIRI, OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN. (PHOTO)

 Stakeholders Praise Kaduna's ROOSC Model As FG Unveils New Reforms To Address Almajiri, Out-of-School Children

Stakeholders at a national education forum have praised the Kaduna State Government for its Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) initiative, describing it as a model for other states to follow in tackling the issues of Almajiri and out-of-school children.

The praise was expressed during the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) advocacy and stakeholder engagement on Almajiri and out-of-school children held in Kaduna.

Dr. Balarabe Shehu Kakale, Special Adviser to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, stated that the Federal Government has introduced new reforms to ensure every Nigerian child returns to school and gains relevant knowledge and skills.

He highlighted Kaduna’s leadership through ROOSC and other education reforms. “We commend the Kaduna Government for implementing several reforms through the ROOSC project. Kaduna is a model that can serve as a lesson for scaling up interventions across the country to address out-of-school children,” Kakale said.

The Special Adviser explained that federal reforms are based on five pillars: foundational literacy, numeracy, vocational and technical education, digital education, and civic education. He urged states to adopt and adapt the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education Act, as well as other policies, to suit their specific challenges.

Kakale also noted that the Federal Government is advancing data sovereignty through the Nigerian Education Data Infrastructure to monitor children from enrollment through academic progress. “We will no longer depend on third-party estimates. Reliable and verifiable data remains critical to solving this challenge,” he emphasized.

Speaking further, Mr. Ezra Angai, Coordinator of the Kaduna ROOSC Project, said the state has adopted a comprehensive approach to reintegrating children into the education system. He revealed that the project aims to reintegrate 100,000 out-of-school children into formal education and alternative learning programs.

According to him, Kaduna has identified 187,912 out-of-school children across its 23 local government areas. “More than 25,000 children have already been re-enrolled through the ROOSC program,” Angai noted.

He mentioned that the project has established Accelerated Basic Education Centers and interventions within Tsangaya schools, acknowledging their importance as community learning centers. Kaduna has signed memoranda of understanding with 25 Tsangayas, serving 6,326 learners, and plans are underway to engage 50 more.

Angai added that 272 schools, including 102 new ones, are part of the project. Infrastructure improvements will benefit six Tsangayas in the first phase, with 27 others targeted in the second phase. Over 40,000 teaching and learning materials, uniforms, and psychosocial support have been distributed, and more than 2,000 children with disabilities have received assistive devices across nine LGAs.

He recognized support from development partners such as the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, Save the Children International, and UNICEF.

Representing the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Malam Halliru Musa Halliru announced that the commission has developed a 10-year strategic plan for 2025–2035 and established 119 learning centers nationwide. Over 700,000 out-of-school children have been mapped to facilitate targeted interventions and enrollment.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo, emphasized that poverty remains a key factor pushing children out of school, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. He affirmed Kaduna’s full commitment to federal policies and efforts to address this issue.

The gathering included government agencies, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, Alarammas, Tsangaya owners, civil society groups, and development partners.

Participants pledged ongoing support for reforms to integrate Almajiri education into broader educational opportunities. They called for stronger collaboration, better data collection, and community mobilization to ensure vulnerable children return to and remain in school.

One more photo below.