By Hussaini Yero In a major move to address the growing crisis of out-of-school children in Zamfara State, the Ministry of Educa...
By Hussaini Yero
In a major move to address the growing crisis of out-of-school children in Zamfara State, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, under the leadership of Honourable Commissioner Malam Wadatau Madawaki, has inaugurated an 18-member State Technical Team (STT) on the Out-of-School Children (OOSC) Initiative.
The inauguration, which took place last Friday at the Ministry’s conference room in Gusau, marked a critical step in the state government’s commitment to ensuring that every child has access to quality education.
According to a statement signed by Rufai Hassan Gusau, Information Officer of the Ministry, the formation of the Technical Team is part of a collaborative initiative between Zamfara State and UNICEF to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children.
Speaking during the event, Commissioner Wadatau Madawaki acknowledged the dedication of education advocates across the state. He highlighted the severity of the challenge, citing the Universal Basic Education Commission’s 2018 survey, which recorded 701,086 out-of-school children in Zamfara— a figure that had soared to 1,068,786 by 2024.
“The goal is clear: to LIST, ENROLL, RETAIN, and SUPPORT UNTIL COMPLETION all out-of-school children in Zamfara State,” the Commissioner stated.
He reaffirmed that education is a fundamental right, and stressed the collective responsibility of government, communities, and stakeholders in reversing the alarming trend. The Commissioner also called for culturally sensitive strategies that involve traditional institutions, religious leaders, and grassroots actors in reintegrating children into formal education systems.
The 18-member technical team comprises experts from diverse educational and community backgrounds. Their task is to address all categories of out-of-school children, including those who have never attended school, those who dropped out, children in Almajiri or Qur’anic schools, and those living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Delivering goodwill messages at the event were key education stakeholders: the Executive Chairman of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB), represented by Dr. Rabi’atu Musa Mafara; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Maryam Yahaya Shantali; and UNICEF Sokoto Field Officer, Mr. Francis Elisha.
Dr. Rabi’atu Musa Mafara expressed the board’s readiness to collaborate with the STT to improve school enrollment, especially for girls. She emphasized the role of synergy between educators, local authorities, and traditional leaders in creating safe and supportive learning environments.
Permanent Secretary Hajiya Maryam Yahaya Shantali reiterated the state government's resolve to confront the education crisis, referencing the Governor’s recent declaration of a State of Emergency on Education. She expressed optimism that the initiative would result in sustainable progress.
UNICEF’s Mr. Francis Elisha reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Zamfara’s efforts, stressing the importance of innovative and inclusive approaches to ensure that marginalized children are not left behind.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Yakubu Sanusi Gusau, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who also serves as Chairman of the Technical Team, thanked the state government and partners for their trust. He pledged the committee’s full commitment to achieving the initiative’s objectives.
“We are ready to justify the confidence placed in us and will work diligently to contribute to the educational development of Zamfara State,” he assured.
The inauguration signals renewed momentum in tackling one of the state's most pressing developmental challenges, with stakeholders expressing hope that the initiative will yield lasting impact.
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