The Katsina State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), has integrated over 53,000 Almajiri children into Western education, the Commissioner of Education, Prof. Badamasi Lawal, said on Friday.
The commissioner announced this when he hosted a United Nations (UN) team, led by the United National Development Programme (UNDP) representative in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Yahaya.
Lawal said an additional 40,000 Almajiri children had been targeted for enrollment this year.
He hailed UNICEF for collaborating with the state government to improve Almajiri pupils’ lives.
Speaking on ‘Reading and Numeracy Programme’ (RANA), the commissioner said the programme that kicked off in three local government areas, had been extended to 12 others.
According to him, the programme has improved learning and teaching processes in primary schools.
Lawal urged UNICEF to assist the state with modern technology on intelligence gathering to ensure the safety of school environment from possible attacks by bandits.
UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Hawkins, praised the state government for its achievement in the areas of girl-child education, data information and establishment of school-based management committees.