By: Femi Mustapha, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government announces efforts to expand educational access for all children through the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project. The initiative now includes Sangayas, Accelerated Basic Education (ABEP), and disability support to make sure no learner is excluded.
Ezra Angai, Project Coordinator for Kaduna’s ROOSC program, shared this during a Friday media briefing in Kaduna to mark International Literacy Day 2026.
Angai explained that the global celebration, observed on September 8th, commemorates 60 years since the first International Literacy Day was declared in Tehran, Iran, in 1966. Despite advances, UNESCO data indicates 739 million people worldwide remain illiterate, with over 400 million of them girls, mostly from rural and remote areas.
“Literacy has evolved. Your ability to read and write alone isn’t enough to navigate a complex world. Today, we’re talking about a world of AI, digital media, and technical and vocational skills,” Angai said.
He further explained that the 2026 theme, “Literacy for People, Literacy for Planets, and Literacy for Prosperity,” emphasizes equipping individuals not just to read, but to earn, adapt, and contribute to society.
Regarding Nigeria’s challenges, Angai cited UNICEF estimates that around 18 million children are out of school. He praised the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for pushing data-driven reforms, including the digital implementation of the 2025/2026 Annual School Census.
He highlighted Kaduna’s leadership, stating, “Kaduna was the first Nigerian state to collect over 98% of its data using the D-NEMIS system.” Additionally, Kaduna dedicates over 25% of its annual budget to education, well above UNESCO’s 15-20% recommendation and the national average of 6%.
A key component of Kaduna’s strategy is the $62.8 million ROOSC project, recognized as Nigeria’s only comprehensive state-led effort targeting out-of-school children. Supported by development partners—including the Islamic Development Bank, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Global Partnership for Education, Education Above All, Save the Children International, and UNICEF—the project began with extensive mapping, reaching 360,000 households and identifying 187,719 out-of-school children with detailed records.
“More than 90% of our out-of-school children are out because of household issues, and notably, about 57% are boys working on farms or other ventures,” Angai explained.
To facilitate access, Kaduna is constructing 102 new schools and renovating 170 existing ones, with 42 sites active, including 16 new schools.
Beyond traditional classrooms, the project integrates Sangayas into formal education. Religious leaders heading Sangayas have agreed to incorporate foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills into Quranic education, making graduates more well-rounded.
For children with overages, the project introduces the Accelerated Basic Education Program (ABEP). This condensed curriculum allows children aged 11 to 17 to complete basic education in 2 years and 6 months before transitioning to secondary school or vocational training.
The ROOSC initiative also emphasizes inclusion. Angai mentioned that disability assessments, conducted with Save the Children International, resulted in the distribution of assistive devices, such as the story of “Israel,” a boy with weak limbs who received a wheelchair and a standing frame for physiotherapy.
“The support improved his mobility and helped his mother care for his siblings while Israel builds strength in his legs,” Angai said.
Additional efforts include distributing 44,000 teaching and learning materials, uniforms, and over 2,000 menstrual hygiene kits for girls. In insecure areas, radio-based lessons help maintain continuity of learning.
To keep children in school, Angai pointed out the use of Community Coalitions comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders, SBMC chairpersons, and parents, working with trained caseworkers in school clusters.
He shared a success story: “A girl who dropped out after her parents’ separation was readmitted after the caseworker and community coalition engaged the father and resolved the issue. The girl returned to school.”
Accountability measures include a four-tier monitoring system: a digital database that tracks all mainstreamed children; weekly and monthly reviews by Save the Children; caseworker visits; and quarterly joint monitoring by PMU, SUBEB, Quality Assurance, the Ministry of Education, and partners.
Angai noted that the Minister of Education has shown interest in adopting Kaduna’s mapping model nationwide.
“Is the funding sufficient? It is enough for us to implement this program and re-enroll 100,000 out-of-school children over the next four years,” he affirmed.
He concluded by reaffirming the project’s core principle: “Every child deserves access to quality and inclusive education.”
