Worried over the menace the out-of-school children crisis poses to the society, the Adamawa State Government with support from UNICEF is deploying two innovative education initiatives, the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) and Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), to restore learning opportunities for thousands of vulnerable children, most of whom are victims of insurgency.
In collaboration with UNICEF, the state’s Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development revealed this during a recent media dialogue in Yola.
According to Godwin Lucky, UNICEF Focal Officer at the ministry, the government’s education reforms go far beyond new classrooms, anchored in inclusive, data-driven strategies and policy harmonization.
“Adamawa is building a foundation for lasting change. With over 21 new schools, 1,775 renovated institutions, and more than 2,000 newly recruited teachers, we are creating the infrastructure and human capital needed to deliver quality education,” Lucky said.
At the core of this effort is ABEP, a flexible, fast-track learning system tailored for older children who have never enrolled in school or dropped out. It is complemented by TaRL, which focuses on strengthening basic literacy and numeracy by teaching children based on their current learning level, rather than age or grade.
Infrastructure improvements include 553 new classroom blocks, 85,000 student seats, 22,000 teacher furniture sets, and boreholes installed in 56 schools to ensure access to clean water and hygiene facilities.
Planning and intervention are now driven by accurate data through annual school censuses and an upgraded Education Management Information System (EMIS), ensuring that resources reach where they are most needed.
Still, challenges remain. Rural and underserved communities continue to grapple with high numbers of out-of-school children. “Bridging this gap requires more alternative learning centers, professional teacher training, and deeper community involvement,” Lucky noted.
UNICEF Education Specialist Abdurrahman Ibrahim Ado highlighted the national scope of the issue, pointing out that over 10 million Nigerian children of primary school age and 8.1 million at junior secondary level are out of school. “Even among those in school, 70 percent are not achieving basic learning outcomes,” he said.
In Adamawa, the crisis is compounded by gender disparity; only 9 percent of girls complete Junior Secondary School compared to 25 percent of boys. Ado emphasized the need for targeted, gender-sensitive education strategies.
Support from the Global Partnership for Education’s Accelerated Funding (GPE-AF) is reaching 160 schools and early childhood centers across Adamawa.
The programme is equipping 670 trained facilitators to create safe, inclusive learning environments and also provides financial support to vulnerable families.
According to Mrs. Shelena Daniels, a learning facilitator, the inclusive approach has drawn in even married and divorced young girls. “They enjoy coming to class now because learning is fun and welcoming,” she said.
The ABEP model also supports older students through a nine-month program designed to transition them into adult education. In many communities, sensitization efforts led by School-Based Management Committees are increasing enrollment and reducing crime.
“Education is changing lives in Adamawa,” said Alhaji Isa Mohammed, a committee leader. “UNICEF has played a vital role in making this possible.”
