Kaduna Pushes to End Out-of-School Crisis as 10,000 Children Rejoin Classrooms

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

In a move to tackle Kaduna State’s long-standing out-of-school children crisis, the government has successfully mainstreamed over 10,000 learners into public schools, signaling renewed hope for thousands of families and communities.

The initiative, driven by the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) Project, is a collaborative effort between the Kaduna State Government, Save the Children International, UNICEF, Islamic Development Bank, Qatar Foundation and other partners.

At the official flag-off in LEA Primary School Rigasa, Deputy Coordinator of the ROOSC Project, Hassan Abdul, said the program represents Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to giving every child in Kaduna a fair chance at education.

“The Governor’s vision is clear, no child in Kaduna should be left behind because of poverty, distance, or social barriers,” Abdul stated. 

“We are targeting over 200,000 children within four years, through new schools, renovations, teacher training, and strong community involvement,” he said.

The ROOSC model, he explained, focuses on ‘catch-up clubs’, a three-month accelerated learning approach that helps children who have been out of school reintegrate into formal education with ease and confidence.

Hon. Mohammed Ismaila, member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Education, hailed the project as a defining moment in the state’s education reform journey.

“This program is not just about numbers, it’s about giving hope.

“Education is now free, compulsory, and backed by law in Kaduna. The government has shown seriousness by allocating 26.6 percent of this year’s budget to education and renovating over 200 schools,” he said.

He urged community and religious leaders to take ownership of the effort, emphasizing that “education is a shared responsibility.”

For Salisu Baba Lawal, Director of Planning at the Ministry of Education, the mainstreaming of 10,000 learners across nine LGAs marks a turning point.

“This milestone proves that Kaduna’s education reforms are working. We’re confident we will exceed our target within the next three years,” Lawal said.

Representing Save the Children International, Tanko Langaya described the program as a “renewal of hope” for children long excluded from the classroom due to poverty, insecurity, or cultural barriers.

“Every child who walks back into school today represents a victory for humanity,” he said. 

Adding “This initiative shows what can happen when governments, partners, and communities unite behind a common goal of education for all.”

As Kaduna State pushes forward, the ROOSC Project stands as a model of what strong political will, partnership, and community action can achieve in the fight against the out-of-school crisis.