Bauchi Launches Enrollment Drive To Check Rise In Out-of-School Children

The Bauchi state government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (BA-SUBEB), has called on parents and guardians across the state to ensure their children are enrolled in school for the betterment of society.

The appeal was made yesterday by the executive chairman of BA-SUBEB, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad, during the flag-off of the 2025/2026 statewide enrollment campaign in Kirfi local government area of the state.

The campaign was organised in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and UNICEF, aimed at mobilising parents, traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious leaders across the 20 LGAs to actively support school enrollment.

He noted that the poor enrollment of school-age children remains a major setback to the state’s development, accusing parents of not sending school-aged children to class, thereby resulting in low school enrollment across the state.

He also urged local government chairmen to take ownership of monitoring and supervising schools in their respective LGAs to improve the quality of basic education.

In 2024, the Bauchi government reported that it had enrolled over 2.1 million pupils and students across the state, achieving an all-time high enrollment rate.

On his part, the executive secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening basic education nationwide.

Represented by the North East zonal director, Malam Abdullahi Jarma, the Bauchi enrollment campaign was described as a timely initiative to secure the future of the younger generation.

Also, the chairman of Kirfi local government area, Hon Abdulkadir Umar Dewu, and the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, represented by the district head of Kirfi, Alhaji Lawal Mohammed Ladan, acknowledged the educational backwardness of Kirfi but pledged to change the narrative with the support of stakeholders.

They also commended Governor Bala Muhammad for his commitment to improving the teaching and learning environment in the state.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office, has announced a significant drop in the number of out-of-school children in the state from 1.5 million to about 500,000.

The Chief of Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, made the disclosure during the campaign launch in Kirfi, attributing the achievement to the efforts of Governor Bala Mohammed as well as the support of traditional leaders, parents and guardians.

She expressed optimism that the ongoing enrollment campaign would further reduce the figure.

Rafique urged stakeholders to continue supporting government policies that prioritise children’s education, stressing that education remains the foundation for a better future.

The state commissioner for Education, Dr Lawal Mohammed, highlighted government efforts in renovating and constructing facilities in public schools to enhance service delivery.

He commended UNICEF for its consistent interventions in the education sector and praised the BASUBEB leadership for driving an impactful enrollment campaign.