Photo: 50m Nigerian children’s education disrupted by insurgency, pandemic
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that no fewer than 50m Nigerian children’s education had been disrupted by terrorists’ abductions, and the COVID-19 pandemic due to resultant school closures.
Dr Tushar Rane, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, made this known on Thursday at the inauguration of the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP) in Bauchi.
Dr Rane recalled that before the pandemic, attaining SDG4-Quality Education was already suffering setbacks, globally.
He said that the pandemic further derailed the efforts to advance education for children, adding that In Nigeria, the pandemic disrupted active learning for a long period.
He said,, “This has been further exacerbated by the attacks on schools and abduction of school children”.
He added that as the UN agency for children, UNICEF collaborates with the government, partners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to ensure that children acquire the right skills to thrive and become nation builders.
According to the UNICEF Chief of Office, the Nigeria Learning Passport is an online, offline and mobile learning platform that will enhance the access to digital learning skills for students, especially in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic saying,
“However, we must remain resolute in our pursuit for a world where every child has access to basic education”.
Rane explained that the Learning Passport was a digitally compliant learning mechanism, which has a critical role in ensuring that Nigeria’ reached its goal.
He described the Learning Passport as an easy to use, and easily deployed platform that enabled children to access resources anytime, anywhere online and offline.
According to him, it is fit for use in remote rural areas, where connectivity must not be at the best.
He called on all stakeholders: parents, government, community leaders, the media and other partners, to provide the relevant support for a full roll-out of the innovative solution across the state.
“I wish to further reiterate that despite the challenges like COVID-19, which the world is facing, we cannot afford to fail the current generation of our children.
“The duty lies on us to ensure that they access the education they need for a better future.
“Many times, we have seen that, equipped with the skills and opportunities, young people can drive the transformation we need for all round sustainable development.”
He stressed that UNICEF remained committed to championing innovations and partnerships to strengthen the development of every child,, not only in education but in he nutrition, protection, and others.
The UNICEF boss applauded cthe Bauchi state government, particularly, the Ministry of Education for its collaboration towards the success of the event.
