In a bold move to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children, the Kaduna State Government has launched an ambitious plan to return over 100,000 children to the classroom within the next four years through the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) programme.
This announcement was made during a two-day workshop for media practitioners held over the weekend at Alhsan Metro Hotel, Kaduna. The event was organized in partnership with Save the Children.
Speaking at the workshop, Salisu Baba Lawal, a representative of the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, explained that the ROOSC programme is a four-year initiative that commenced in April 2024 and will run through 2028.
According to Lawal, the project aims to increase school enrolment, enhance teaching standards, create safer and more conducive learning environments, and improve overall educational outcomes across the state.
“We are focusing on nine Local Government Areas—three from each Senatorial Zone,” he said. “So far, we have trained 405 teachers and plan to train more, as qualified teachers are crucial to the programme’s success.”
Lawal also revealed that 102 new schools have already been constructed, while 170 more are currently undergoing renovation. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to bring street children back into the school system, saying, “We’re working closely with Save the Children and UNICEF to make this vision a reality.”
He stressed the vital role of the media in promoting the programme’s objectives. “It’s the firm commitment of the Kaduna State Government to ensure every child, regardless of background, has access to education. The media has a key role to play in achieving this.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr Emmanuel Mbursa Madu, Project Director for ROOSC at Save the Children International (SCI), highlighted that the initiative is a multi-donor project designed to support inclusive and equitable access to quality primary education.
He explained that the programme targets children aged 6–11 years, as well as adolescents and young adults between 12–18 years. The strategies employed, he noted, are gender-sensitive, pro-poor, and geared towards inclusivity in the education sector.
“This initiative is a joint effort involving Save the Children, UNICEF, and other partners, working together to address the urgent challenge of out-of-school children in Kaduna,” Madu said.
He further noted that the ROOSC programme is a flagship project of the Kaduna State Government, driven by the vision of Executive Governor Senator Uba Sani, to ensure that every child in the state has access to quality education.
