Katsina, UNICEF Return Over 1,300 Vulnerable Children To Classroom

In a determined effort to tackle the problem of out-of-school children, the Katsina State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has successfully enrolled more than 1,300 vulnerable children back in school across the state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Girl Child Education and Child Development, Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani, revealed this while presenting a progress report highlighting the administration’s major achievements in child welfare and education since assuming office two years ago.

She explained that through the Integrated Adolescent Girls Programming (REACH) initiative, a total of 1,393 vulnerable children who had previously dropped out or never attended school are now back in the classroom and gaining a second chance at education.

Hajiya Jamila described the partnership with UNICEF as a game-changer in the state’s efforts to address the root causes of child neglect and educational disadvantage.

She said that aside from getting children back to school, the collaboration has brought innovative community campaigns to over 180 communities, educating parents on the dangers of child marriage and other harmful practices.

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In addition, more than 800 adolescent girls in Katsina Local Government Area are now benefiting from safe spaces and mentorship programmes aimed at building their confidence, skills, and future aspirations.
The Special Adviser noted that the Radda administration has also invested heavily in facilities and support systems to ensure that returning to school translates into lasting success for these children.

Highlighting other key interventions, she said the Katsina Orphanage Home has received significant upgrades, including medical teams and nutritional support, with all children now enrolled in the State’s Social Health Insurance Scheme for continuous healthcare access.

Governor Radda’s direct involvement has also led to life-changing medical assistance for vulnerable children, such as a baby girl born with four legs in Mani Local Government Area who underwent successful surgery at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.

The fight against gender-based violence has been strengthened with the establishment of the NASIHA Sexual Assault Referral Centre, which provides comprehensive medical and legal support to survivors.

Hajiya Jamila stressed that these achievements, combined with Governor Radda’s new law banning child hawking during school hours, demonstrate the administration’s unwavering resolve to protect children’s rights and secure their future through education.

She added that the government has also organised capacity-building workshops for Children’s Parliament members and safe space mentors to strengthen grassroots advocacy and community engagement across all 34 local government areas.

According to her, the ongoing expansion of Girls Skills Acquisition Centres, which have trained 955 out-of-school girls so far, complements the goal of ensuring that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has both access to quality education and opportunities to develop skills for a better life.

Education stakeholders and community leaders have commended the Katsina State Government and UNICEF for the sustained commitment to reversing the alarming number of out-of-school children and giving hope to families across the state.