Bauchi, UNICEF begin door-to-door mapping of out-of-school children for massive enrollment

Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi

In an effort to return its share of out-of-school children to the classroom, Bauchi State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has deployed hundreds of enumerators across the 20 local government areas of the State to ascertain the authentic number of the kids out of schools.

State has been reportedly hosting larger number of kids not in school –about 1.2million, but earlier in September, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed had inaugurated an education committee headed by Emir of Bauchi, Alh. Adamu Suleiman Rilwanu to champion the enrollment of kids where over 18,000 have been returned to classes.

The Guardian’s observation in Bambiyo, Giade Council on Thursday showed that parents have been submitting their wards to enumerators for mapping which assists policymakers in proper planning.

During a field trip by UNICEF team to communities in Toro and the northern part of the state like Azare, Giade and Misau, families were seen giving out the data of the children for documentation.

One of the enumerators, Aisha Abubakar who spoke with the press said that the exercise which commenced on Thursday in Giade would last for a week. “What we do is to meet the head of a household, ask about the number of kids not in school and input their information on our computerised record.

“I have been going from door to doors, meeting parents for the information. They have been cooperating and glad to enrol their kids in school. Although some of them are giving economic hardship as an excuse to keep their children out-of-school.

“We have observed that they are using these children in school during school hours but we have been encouraging them to prioritise education over farming,” she said.

One of the parents, Sani Abubakar said that he has 19 children and is ready to enrol all in school, saying that “a child without education is like a waste.”

“In my own case, I’m 77 years but I just finished secondary in 2007 when I have wives and children. I will not want a similar situation of mine,” Sani said..

The UN Agency and Bauchi Government have deployed 325 enumerators and 40 supervisors across the State to determine the number of pupils that are yet to be enrolled in school.

According to the Officer in Charge of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Adams Clement, said the mapping activity would enable the State “to know the actual number of children that are out of school, for effective planning. The mapping is a comprehensive household survey for out-of-school children towards actualizing the state’s strategic plans to reduce the number and rate of out-of-school children.

“It will also increase public participation and respond to the global targets of achieving education for all (EFA) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) targets.”

Clement said the mapping would help to obtain information on out-of-school children and the possible reasons responsible for their being out of school. To gather adequate information that will inform its decision-making for education planning, especially for the marginalized and vulnerable children in the state.

Also, to guide the planning and implementation of enrolment campaigns and targeted advocacy for enrolment, attendance, and transition at basic education (BE) and senior secondary school levels. To obtain a comprehensive database for out of school children in the State. To recommend to the Bauchi State Government on policies and programs to reduce the number of out-of-school children.