Kaduna State’s AGILE Alternative Education Program Empowers Thousands of Adolescent Girls –Expert
From:Femi Mustapha
The AGILE Alternative Education Program, a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Kaduna State Government, has made significant strides in empowering thousands of adolescent girls in the state.
The Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Climate Change Specialist for the Hope for Communities and Children (H4CC), Rahila Baita, asserted this during the Second Chance/Alternative Education Collaboration meeting with GBV service providers and AYFSPS held in Kaduna.
According to her the project implemented by Hope for Communities and Children (H4CC), the program aims to address the challenges girls face in accessing education due to cultural, social, and religious barriers.
She stressed that the AGILE Alternative Education Program is a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Kaduna State Government. It has made significant strides in empowering thousands of adolescent girls in the state.
She added that the Project is implemented by Hope for Communities and Children (H4CC), and aims to address the challenges girls face in accessing education due to cultural, social, and religious barriers.
Rahila Baita disclosed that the program has successfully enrolled 37,053 adolescent girls and mothers across 10 local government areas, providing them with access to basic literacy and numeracy classes.
“Currently, about 3,500 enrolled beneficiaries are accessing basic literacy, numeracy, and life skills classes across the 10 LGAs.
“Over 10,000 pregnant, young mothers, and caregivers among the enrolled beneficiaries have benefited from Positive Parenting (ECD) group sessions.
“A total of 78 mentors have been recruited and trained to implement literacy and numeracy and life skills activities across the 10 LGAs.” She said
Rahila Baita ho,wever sa, id that despite the progress made, the program faces challenges such as:Cu tural and Social barriers and, inadequate Infrastructure.
She added that the program is to identify more innovative strategies to sustain and increase efforts to engage religious and community leaders to sustain support for the Alternative Education/Second Chance Program.
” Explore strategies to mobilize resources to support beneficiaries with learning and mentors with teaching materials for literacy and numeracy.
“Develop a rigorous monitoring framework to ensure regular sessions are conducted in line with established guidelines.”
Overall, the AGILE Alternative Education Program is making a significant impact in empowering thousands of adolescent girls in Kaduna State, and its success serves as a model for other initiatives aimed at promoting education and empowerment for girls.
