The Gombe State government, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme, a World Bank-assisted project, has launched a school improvement grant and girls’ scholarship programme aimed at empowering 12,100 economically disadvantaged girls across the state’s 11 local government areas.

During the ceremony on Friday, the state coordinator of AGILE, Dr Amina Haruna Abdul, explained that the programme targets students in primary 6 and JSS 3, a critical stage where many girls often drop out of school.

She noted that the beneficiaries would receive N60,000 each to facilitate their transition to JSS 1 and SS 1, including registration, uniforms, and school materials.

“Additionally, they will receive N10,000 each every term to support their academic pursuits.

“The programme uses a community poverty ranking system to identify beneficiaries, ensuring that those who need it most are captured.

“The AGILE programme aims to support these girls in their transition to JSS 1 and SS 1, promoting girl-child education and empowerment in the state”, she said.

In his remarks, the state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his deputy, Manasseh Jatau, stated that the government was committed to addressing the issue of out-of-school children. He added that the scholarship programme would empower girls to enrol, retain, and complete their education in the state.

He asked parents to cooperate and support the government’s drive to boost education in the state.

Our correspondent reports that many school-aged girls in the state are on the streets and engage in farm labour, popularly known as “barema,” for wages during the rainy seasons.