Refugees Commission To Bridge Education Gap For IDP Children

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to education for internally displaced children through the establishment of transitional learning centres across the country.

The director in charge of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Commission, Mrs. Fatima Daura, stated this at the launch of two children’s books authored by Mrs. Teresa Oyibo Ameh, held as part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism and efforts aimed at restoring hope for the girl child in North-East Nigeria.

Author of the book, Mrs Ameh, said the books were borne out of a deep passion for nurturing young minds and mentoring children to become disciplined and hopeful leaders of tomorrow. She described the publications as more than printed pages, noting that they represent journeys of learning, resilience and values capable of shaping generations.

According to her, the books serve as bridges that connect experiences, ideas and generations, while also challenging existing perspectives and inspiring new ways of thinking among children. She expressed optimism that the stories would stimulate curiosity, reflection and positive character development.

Daura disclosed that the Commission began setting up transitional learning centres around 2020 in states with high numbers of displaced persons to provide accelerated learning opportunities for children affected by conflict and displacement. According to her, the centres are designed to improve literacy and numeracy skills while helping displaced children bridge learning gaps before transitioning into conventional schools.

She said such centres are currently operational at the Wassa Internally Displaced Persons camp, as well as in Katsina, Bauchi, Zamfara, Cross River and Imo states, noting that the Commission plans to expand the initiative as more resources become available.

Daura explained that beyond infrastructure, the Commission is supporting initiatives that promote education and welfare for displaced children, particularly girls, describing the newly launched books as a homegrown intervention that can positively influence learning and character development.

She commended Mrs. Ameh, a Nigerian author and former staff of the Refugee Commission, for using children’s literature as a tool for inspiration, saying her work provides a strong role model for displaced girls by showing that they can aspire to become writers and contributors to national development.

While acknowledging the importance of books and formal education, Daura stressed that moral development must begin from the family unit, with schools and learning materials serving as complementary tools. She called for renewed commitment from families, religious institutions and traditional leaders to strengthen values and reorient society.

The book launch, she noted, aligns with ongoing efforts to protect the rights of vulnerable children and promote inclusive education for displaced populations, including refugees and migrants, in line with the Commission’s mandate.

The author expressed hope that the books would find their way into schools, homes and other learning spaces, where they could be read to children and used as tools to empower learning and enrich lives. She called on stakeholders and members of the public to support the initiative, describing them as the first ambassadors of the project.