Kaduna flags Off mainstreaming of 10,000 out-of-School children Into public schools
By Hussaina Yakubu
October 16, 2025
In a bold move to reduce the growing number of out of school children, the Kaduna State Government on Thursday flagged off the mainstreaming of 10,000 catch-up learners into formal education across nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The official ceremony, which took place at LEA Primary School, Rigasa, along Lokoja Road in Kaduna, marked a critical milestone in the implementation of the Reaching Out of School Children (ROOSC) project a collaborative initiative between the Kaduna State Government, Save the Children International, UNICEF, and other global development partners.
∼
Speaking at the flag-off event, Barr. Mahmud Lawal Samaila, Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Member representing Zaria City Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly
He described the program as one of the most impactful educational interventions the state has witnessed this year.
“This is one of the best programs I have attended in 2025. We are witnessing the mainstreaming of 10,000 children into the formal education system.
According to him, this aligns with the administration’s goal to ensure every child in Kaduna accesses basic and post-basic education,” Samaila said.
He emphasized that the initiative is not only backed by state law but also reflects in the government’s financial commitments.
“Kaduna has legislated free and compulsory education at basic and post-basic levels. This year alone, 26.6% of the total budget was allocated to education, and over 200 schools are currently undergoing renovation,” he added.
Also speaking, Salisu Baba Lawal, Director of Planning at the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, highlighted the program’s significance in reducing educational inequality in the state.
“Today we are mainstreaming learners who have completed a three month catch-up course. If we can successfully reintegrate 10,000 children in this phase, then reaching our four year target of over 200,000 is well within reach,” he noted.
Representing Save the Children International, Tanko Mohammed, the State Team Lead, commended the government and stakeholders for their collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to inclusive education.
“Today marks not just a flag-off but the renewal of hope for thousands of children. This effort demonstrates our shared resolve to bridge educational inequality and leave no child behind,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Hassan Abdul, Deputy Coordinator of the ROOSC project in Kaduna, provided an overview of the initiative, emphasizing its long-term impact.
“The project is backed by multiple international development partners including the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and Education Above All (EAA), with technical coordination by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
“We aim to build 102 new schools and renovate 170 existing ones across all 23 LGAs,” Abdul stated.
He revealed that over 100 children were being mainstreamed at the Rigasa center alone during Thursday’s exercise.
Also present at the event, community leader Alhaji Abubakar Yahuza praised the program, linking education to improved security in the region.
“Education helps reduce insecurity. We thank the government for bringing this initiative to our community. It gives our children a future and keeps them off the streets,” Yahuza said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports ,the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project targets the return of over 200,000 out of school children back into the formal education system over the next four years.
The initiative includes construction and renovation of schools, training of teachers, and the establishment of catch up learning centers to transition children into mainstream classrooms.
Stakeholders called on community leaders, parents, and guardians to take ownership of the program and ensure that the children remain in school.
“Education is the responsibility of all not just government,” stakeholders reiterated. “Let us work together to secure a better future for Kaduna State.”(NAN)