AGILE project delivers 60 new schools in Kaduna in eight months

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

In a significant boost to the education sector in Kaduna State, the Adolescent Girls Initiative Learning Enhancement (AGILE) project has delivered 60 new schools from scratch across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state within eight months.

The AGILE project in Kaduna State is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education, with support from the World Bank, designed to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20, addressing challenges such as socio-cultural and financial constraints, as well as infrastructural deficits.

The project, aimed at improving access to quality education, has also provided adequate teachers, well-equipped libraries, and other essential facilities to support the learning process.

Speaking during a meeting where stakeholders in the education sector under the Local Education Group (LEG) come together to discuss challenges and prospects in education in Kaduna State at the weekend, Technical Assistant to the AGILE project in Kaduna, Hajiya Zaynab Marna Lukat, said her team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the schools are fully functional and equipped to provide a conducive learning environment for students.

She described the construction of the 60 new schools as a significant milestone in the efforts to address the challenges facing the education sector in Kaduna State.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Planning at the Ministry of Education, Salisu Lawal Baba, expressed gratitude to the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the education sector.

He noted that the allocation of N206 billion to the education sector this year demonstrated the government’s passion for improving education in the state.

However, stakeholders at the meeting also identified several challenges facing the education sector, including a shortage of teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and the phenomenon of “ghost teachers” who employ others to teach on their behalf.

To address these challenges, the stakeholders including PLANE, Save the Children International, UNICEF, Teaching At Right Level among others, emphasized the need for innovative solutions, including the use of technology to monitor teacher attendance and improve school management.

The construction of the 60 new schools by the donor organization is a significant step towards addressing the infrastructure challenges facing the education sector in Kaduna State.

With the support of the state government and other stakeholders, the education sector in Kaduna State is poised for significant transformation, providing opportunities for improved learning outcomes and a brighter future for students.