Get Guardian on GoogleThe Global Village Healthcare Initiative (GHIV) Africa in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), -as returned 877 out-of-classrom children to formal schools in Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe state.
GHIV Africa said, with the initiative support from UNICEF) under the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP II), has successfully facilitated the transition of 1,080 out-of-school children through non-formal learning pathways in Jakusko Local Government Area of the state.
At a mainstreaming ceremony held in Jakusko on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the GHIV organisation celebrated the achievements of learners, who completed their respective learning programmes under the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) and Tsangaya learning centres, marking a significant step towards expanding access to inclusive and equitable education for vulnerable children.
Out of the 1,131 learners initially enrolled in the intervention, 1,080 participated in the final examinations.
Following the completion of the programme, 877 learners are set to transition into formal schools, while 150 will proceed to livelihood and vocational skills acquisition centres. Another 53 learners from Tsangaya centres have opted to continue their Islamic education within their existing learning arrangements.
The breakdown shows that 911 learners were enrolled in ABEP centres, with 815 transitioning into formal schools and 96 proceeding to vocational and livelihood skills acquisition programmes.
Similarly, 169 learners were enrolled in Tsangaya centres. Of these, 62 have opted to transition into formal schools, 54 will pursue livelihood and vocational skills training, while 53 have chosen to continue their Islamic education.
Speaking at the event, the Yobe State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Abba Idris Adam, commended GHIV Africa, UNICEF and other development partners for supporting the state government’s efforts to bring out-of-school children back into the education system.
Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Quality Assurance, Adamu Garba, the Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Yobe has access to education, in line with the policy direction of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
He urged learning facilitators to intensify efforts to identify children still outside the education system, particularly those in rural communities, markets and other public spaces, and encourage their enrolment in learning centres.
Dr Adam urged parents, caregivers and community leaders to cooperate with implementing organisations, stressing that education is a fundamental right of every child.
He assured development partners of the Ministry’s readiness to support similar interventions across the state and expressed appreciation for extending the programme to Jakusko.
The Executive Director of GHIV Africa, Mulikat Bamidele , said the mainstreaming exercise represented an important milestone in the organisation’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for children affected by conflict, displacement and other barriers to schooling.
She explained that the intervention was a three-year programme currently in its second year, with plans underway to enrol another cohort of learners and extend the initiative to additional communities.
The ED emphasised that the organisation’s responsibility did not end with the completion of the non-formal learning programme, noting that sustained support would be provided to ensure that the children successfully transition into their respective educational pathways.
According to her, GHIV Africa would strengthen follow-up activities through community volunteers, regular engagements with parents and teachers, and collaboration with school authorities to monitor learners’ attendance, address emerging challenges and prevent school dropout.
