……..tasks journalists on keeping discourse on public domain to trigger positive change
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The United Nations Children Fund(UNICEF) has reiterated it’s commitment to support Bauchi State overcome the challenges associated with the high number of out of school children through system strengthening and creating enabling environment for learning.
Dr. Tushar Rane, UNICEF’s chief of field office Bauchi stated this recently while addressing journalists at a media dialogue held in Misau local government area of Bauchi State.
Dr. Rane said UNICEF is working with the government to enhance planning for improved delivery of education.
While commending the efforts of Bauchi State Government for demonstrating the political will to address the challenges in basic education, the chief of field office said further said that UNICEF would support the government to remove systemic barriers that impede children’s access to quality education through enhanced collaboration with relevant state actors, traditional leaders, CSOs, FBOs, communities, and other development partners to find solutions that will result in getting the out-of-school children back to school.
Dr.Rane projected that such collaboration with relevant stakeholders will pave the way for effective awareness and mobilization of parents, guardians, communities on the importance of enrolling all school-age children in schools.
He maintained that, education is a fundamental right that empowers children to reach their full potentials and, that, due to varying factors, a significant number of children in Bauchi state are unable to access this fundamental right, robbing them of their dreams and aspirations.
“Education plays a vital role in the development of any country. Quality education, especially at basic level, is integral to socio-economic development; no nation can rise above its educational level.
“Despite the importance of education, at least, over 10 million school-aged children in Nigeria are out of school. This is a major challenge to all of us.
“At UNICEF, we are committed to improving the lives of children and women in Nigeria, especially in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and the Education for All (EFA) goals of educating all children at all levels and in all groups”, said Dr. Rane.
On the role of media in reversing the disturbing trend, the chief of field office said, the media dialogue will serve as a platform for open and constructive discussions on the root causes of out-of-school-children, the challenges hindering school-aged children’s access to education, and the potential solutions that can be collectively proffered to Bauchi State.
“My media colleagues, you are the drivers of social discourse! I encourage us to let the discussions from this media dialogue motivate us, to amplify the voices of out-of-school-children, advocate for change, and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.
“We all have roles to play in ensuring children of school age in Bauchi state are enrolled into school at the right age. By working hand in hand, we can pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for children in Bauchi and beyond.
“I commend all of you for your support to the cause of advancing child rights concerns in Nigeria and I reiterate our commitment to strengthening the partnership with you to ensure that all school age children in Nigeria, including those in Bauchi State, fulfil their right to quality education”, Dr. Rane said.
Daily Chronicle reports that some of the activities carried out during the media dialogue was a field visits to schools and interface with communities, and out of school children in Alkaleri and Misau Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
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