Gombe Govt, UNICEF Unite to Tackle Education Crisis, Boost Learning Outcomes
By Auwal Umar, Gombe
The Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a critical intervention to tackle a looming educational crisis: the alarming number of children struggling with basic literacy and numeracy skills.
A recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) revealed that only 25% of Nigerian children in primary grades 4-6 can read or solve basic arithmetic problems. With a significant proportion of this challenge rooted in Northern Nigeria, the Gombe State government is taking decisive action.
Addressing newsmen during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on foundational literacy and numeracy in Gombe, the State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Aishatu Maigari, emphasized the urgency of addressing the “learning crisis,” noting that children are attending school, but many are not learning.
According to her, the statistics show that even those in school struggle with reading and simple arithmetic.
On his part, UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office Education Specialist, Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ado, underscored the need for a multi-sectoral approach to reverse the trend, pointing to teacher preparedness, inadequate materials, and school management as key barriers.
“Improving teacher capacity is crucial,” he stressed, highlighting the necessity of continuous professional development.
“It’s no longer business as usual; teaching must be at the right level, starting with a proper assessment of students’ understanding,” he added.
With a focus on enhancing the quality of education, Gombe and UNICEF aim to leave no child behind, ensuring that both teachers and schools are equipped to deliver meaningful learning experiences.
