UBEC introduces community learning centres for out-of-school girls

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), says it has introduced Cluster Community Learning Centres (CCLC) for out-of-school girls, as part of efforts to provide access to quality education for the girl child.
UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, disclosed this in Kaduna on Wednesday, at the opening of a two-day roundtable to develop a framework for the implementation of the CCLC model.
Bobboyi, who was represented by the Director, Teacher Development, UBEC, Unwaha Ismail, explained that the CCLC was introduced to specifically take education to the doorsteps of out-of-school girls in their various communities across the country.
He said that the meeting was organised to develop a framework and guidelines for the implementation of the model, as a paradigm shift to solving the problem of out-of-school girls in the country.
“Specifically, this meeting is expected to define the concept of CCLC and how it will be operational and develop strategies that will be deployed for the success of the initiative.
“It is also expected to ensure that girl’s values and needs are equitably addressed and ensure that cluster learning centres become education refresher points in communities across the country,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government, through UBEC had implemented various interventions aimed at addressing problems in girl-child education in the country, particularly in northern part of the country.
Bobboyi recalled that UBEC had constructed and equipped more than 70 Junior Model Girls Secondary Schools across the country to provide access and equity to the girlchild.
The UBEC boss, however, said that the implementation of the programme encountered various challenges which necessitated UBEC to review it and came out with the CCLC strategy.
“I have no doubt that the meeting will come up with a workable document that will be easily implemented at all levels, address challenges of out-of-school girls and chart a way forward.
“Every stakeholder is expected to play a role in the implementation of the model; traditional rulers, school-based management committees, parent teachers association, women groups, civil society organisations and community-based associations.
“UBEC will carry our massive awareness campaign to get the buy in of community members for sustainability,” he added.
Also speaking, UBEC Director, Special Programmes, Malam Hassan Umar, pointed out that the girl-child constituted more than 60 per cent of out-of-school children in the country.
Umar explained that the CCLC model was designed to provide learning centres in clusters outside the conventional school settings, to serve as refreshers points to look at issues affecting girls and how to address them.
According to him, the model will promote the participation of girls in school activities and ensure that they have equal opportunity in accessing quality education for national development.
“It will also increase girl-child enrolment, retention, transition and completion of school, enhanced productivity of girls and empower them to add value to the socio-economic, political and moral standard in the country.
“However, the performance of any UBEC programme largely depends on the collective efforts, collaboration and synergy among all stakeholders in the country.”
Hajiya Nafisat Babajo of Human Development Foundation of Nigeria, commended UBEC for the initiative, stressing that the girl-child needed basic literacy, numeracy and skills acquisition to live a quality life.
Similarly, Aisha Kilishi, Chairperson, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association (FOMWAN) in Nigeria, Bauchi State Chapter equally lauded the initiative and assured of FOMWAN’s full support.
One of the traditional rulers at the meeting, Alhaji Sa’ad Yola, noted that communities underrated and disrespected women, in spite of their contributions to the family, community and the country at large.
According to him, inculcating good values, moral and the education of the child lies mostly on the shoulders of women.
He commended UBEC for using community-centred approach to solving the problem of out-of-school girls in the country.