EU and North West States Join Hands to Reduce the Number of Out of School Children

The European Union has partnered with the governments of Sokoto State, Kebbi State, and Zamfara State to tackle the growing number of children who are not in school.

The joint programme, supported by UNICEF, focuses on improving early childhood education to help children start school earlier, stay longer, and complete their studies.

Speaking at a media meeting on education reform, the Chairman of the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board, Umar Tambuwal, said the partnership is a practical step towards solving the long standing education problems in the region. He explained that early learning helps children build strong foundations and reduces the chances of dropping out later.

“When we invest in the early years, we are preventing future learning gaps and reducing the risk of children dropping out of school. This is why the partnership between the European Union and our state governments is so important,” he stated during his speech.

As part of the programme, over 160 Early Childhood Care and Development centres received books, teaching tools, and learning materials between 2024 and 2025. More centres are expected to benefit in the coming years.

The project also includes teacher training, improvements to school buildings, and the use of digital records to track pupil enrolment and identify children who are not attending school.

Education officials said the state governments are also providing funds to upgrade facilities, employ qualified teachers, and strengthen supervision in schools.

The Chief of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, Michael Juma, said the programme is designed to build a strong and lasting education system.

“This is not just about expanding classrooms; it is about building strong education systems that can track children, support teachers and ensure seamless transition from early childhood education to primary school,” he said.

Officials from the three states added that traditional rulers, community leaders, and the media are helping to encourage parents to enrol their children in school.

Stakeholders believe that continued cooperation, steady funding, and proper planning will improve access to early education and reduce the number of children who are out of school across Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.