THE Kaduna State Government has inaugurated Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE).
PLANE was aimed at supporting more inclusive and effective education systems to deliver foundational skills where state and non-state basic education providers enabled better learning outcomes, including marginalised groups of children. It is a seven-year programme designed to drive inclusive education programme in the state.
PLANE was inaugurated at the Model Primary School in Kakuri, Kaduna, as part of community level engagement to create the needed awareness and mobilise community support.
The programme would significantly improve learning outcomes in primary schools in the state, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Halma Lawal has said
Hajiya Halima Lawal, who was represented by Munkaila Usman, the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Evaluation in the ministry, commended PLANE for selecting the state as one of the beneficiaries.
According to her, the programme will strengthen the needed foundation and learning outcomes in primary schools in the state.
She therefore called on community members and critical stakeholders to support the programme to enable it succeed.
Earlier, the State Team Lead, PLANE, Ms Diana Agabi, said the seven-year programme was being funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), for a more inclusive and effective education system.
She said that the programme was being implemented in 728 primary schools across six Local Government Areas of the state: Kaduna South, Kaduna North LGA, Sabon Gari, Soba, Jaba and Sanga.
“This will be achieved through four outputs, better teaching and more focused learning, governance of state systems, governance of non-state systems, and use of evidence and communication,’’ she said.
She said that the programme was being inaugurated in all the benefiting local government areas to sensitise community members and mobilise their support.
“We have already inaugurated the programme in Sabon Gari, Soba and Kaduna North LGAs and today we are in Kaduna South LGA. Next week we will be in Jaba and Sanga LGAs for a similar event,’’ she said.
The Senior Technical Advisor of PLANE, Mr Salim Sadiq said that the PLANE programme goal was for the Nigerian government and FCDO commitment to drive sustainable improvements in learning outcomes for Nigerian children.
“The programme works with federal and state leaders, legislators, education providers and parents across Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano states.
“PLANE has supported the development of learning materials, and will support teacher training, community mobilisation and monitoring and evaluation,’’ he said.
Hajiya Hadiza Umar, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Advisor, PLANE, drew the attention of education service providers and community members on the need for inclusive education.
Umar urged the stakeholders to ensure access to quality education by all, including girls and Persons Living with Disabilities in a safe learning environment free from all forms of gender-based violence.
The Education Secretary of the LGA, Malam Abdu Yusuf, commended PLANE for supporting the local government area to improve learning outcomes in primary schools.
Similarly, Alhaji Saidu Yero, the District Head of Makera, also commended PLANE and the state government for the effort to improve education service delivery systems in the state.
Yero, represented by Village Head of Makera, Alhaji Sani Yero, pledged community leaders’ support to ensure success of the programme.