The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), has launched a program to tackle foundational literacy and numeracy challenges among primary school pupils.
The programme also seeks to involve policymakers, such as the State House of Assembly, to ensure the necessary support for expanding these interventions and boosting learning outcomes.
Its key components include capacity building for teachers, conducting student assessments, and ongoing training to improve teaching effectiveness.
The initiative follows a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) report, showing that only 25% of Nigerian children in primary grades 4 to 6 could read or solve basic arithmetic, with Northern Nigeria facing significant challenges.
The Gombe State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, referred to the situation as a learning crisis, where many children attending school are unable to read or perform simple arithmetic, especially those from rural and low-income
backgrounds.
Speaking with journalists at a one-day stakeholder meeting by the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with UNICEF, Dr Maigari said statistics had shown that it was a learning crisis.
‘Children are going to school but they are not able to read and learn. The data shows that one in three children are not going to school, meaning that they are out of school (nationally) and three out of four children going to school are not able to learn, read and do simple arithmetic. Most of these come from rural areas and poor economic classes.’
Dr. Maigari added that Gombe State intends to ensure that no child is left behind in terms of quality and equity.
UNICEF Education Specialist at the Bauchi Field Office, Mr. Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ado, emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle challenges related to teachers, school environments, and learning materials.
He identified key issues stemming from inadequate teacher performance, poor school management, and la
ck of sufficient teaching and learning resources.
‘We must focus on improving the school environment by ensuring it is safe, and ensuring that teachers are performing their duties effectively.
‘This also includes proper monitoring of teachers in schools and bringing them up to speed with global educational standards. Teachers need to adapt new strategies and methodologies to enhance children’s learning,’ said Mr. Ado.
Mr. Ado added that teachers need to ensure they assess whether students have fully grasped the concepts before moving on.
He highlighted that teachers had already undergone an intensive 14-day training session aimed at developing their skills, which would ultimately enhance students’ learning abilities.
Source: Voice of Nigeria