UNICEF Advocates Gender Equity in Drive to Increase Enrollment, Retention, Completion in Kaduna Education
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
UNICEF has emphasized the critical role of gender equity in improving school enrollment, retention, and completion rates across Kaduna State, urging stakeholders to ensure inclusive education for both boys and girls.
Speaking during the training of master trainers for the retraining of School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), in partnership with the Kaduna State government and Reaching Out of School Children (ROOSC) Project, Dr. Idris Baba, Health Specialist and Gender Focal Person for UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, highlighted the need for a balanced approach that addresses the educational needs of all children, especially those who are disadvantaged.
“Education is the bedrock of development, and gender must sit properly within it,” Baba said. “When we talk about education today, it’s not just about getting children into school; it’s about keeping them there and ensuring they complete their education.”
He noted that while much attention is rightly placed on the girl child—given the clear links between maternal education and improved health and social outcomes, UNICEF’s approach also recognizes that boys, particularly in some contexts, may be equally disadvantaged.
“There is a tendency to assume gender conversations are only about the girl child. But gender equity means bringing both girls and boys into focus especially those who are being left behind,” Baba explained.
Baba stressed that achieving gender balance in education is essential for shifting key development indices in Kaduna and across northern Nigeria. He added that inclusive strategies must also consider children with physical disabilities and those facing socio-economic barriers.
“SBMCs play a vital role in ensuring equity in school management. They must champion the cause of inclusive education by focusing on enrollment, ensuring students stay in school, and supporting them through to completion,” he said.
The training session also encouraged SBMCs to become advocates of gender-sensitive practices, including monitoring dropout rates and addressing local challenges that prevent children from accessing or completing their education.
UNICEF’s engagement with community-level education structures like the SBMC reflects its broader commitment to improving learning outcomes, advancing gender equity, and ensuring no child is left behind in the pursuit of quality education.
