Francois Sardauna in Katsina
As many as 20,802 out-of-school children in Katsina State will now have access to learning following the launch of the cash transfer program by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the government of State.
N332,832,000 will be disbursed through the cash transfer program to 20,802 out-of-school children and Almajirai in Kafur, Mani and Safana local government area of the state to provide them with educational opportunities. learning and improve their socio-economic well-being. Speaking at the launch of the program in Mani yesterday, the head of the UNICEF field office in Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammed Farah, said the cash transfer program would reduce the number of 536,132 children currently out of school in the state.
The cash transfer programme, funded by Qatar’s Education Above All (EAA) Foundation under its Educate A Child (EAC) programme, is implemented by UNICEF in Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto states. .
Farah explained that the funds would be distributed through 10,557 mothers and carers to help 20,802 out-of-school children return to school.
He reiterated that each mother and caregiver would receive 8,000 Naira per installment twice in 2022, i.e. 16,000 Naira per beneficiary in the three beneficiary local governments in the state.
He said the cash transfer program would also ensure that the Integrated Quranic Schools (IQS) in Kafur, Mani and Safana are equipped with literacy and numeracy skills for employability and livelihood programs.
According to Farah, “Through this cash transfer scheme, a total of N332,832,000 will be disbursed to 20,802 out-of-school children in Kafur, Mani and Safana LGAs of Katsina State.”
He, however, listed low educational attainment, intergenerational poverty, perpetuation of inequality and poor learning outcomes as factors that undermine the social and economic development of girls in the state.
Nonetheless, Farah assured the state government of UNICEF’s continued support and partnership to ensure the right to safe, inclusive and quality learning for every child in the state.
State Governor Aminu Bello Masari during the inauguration of the cash transfer program described it as a laudable program that will boost enrollment and retention of children in schools across the state.
He promised that the cash transfer program implementation unit will monitor the program and ensure that beneficiaries make wise use of the resources given to them to engage their education.
