SUBEB, UNICEF collaborate to tackle high dropout rate

By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse

In an effort to combat the alarming dropout rate among schoolchildren in Kirikasamma Local Government Area, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and UNICEF held a rally on Monday aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing community support for education.

Mal Mahmud Hamza, the Secretary of SUBEB, highlighted that Kirikasamma is one of the regions with the highest dropout rates, with an alarming figure of 30%.

“Parents must play a vital role in ensuring that their children enroll and attend school regularly, especially in remote areas,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in education.

Local Education Secretary Muhammad Mahmud echoed this sentiment, urging parents to visit nearby schools to monitor their children’s education.

“We need to work together as a community to guarantee that our children receive the education they deserve,” he said.

In a call for collaboration, Mahmud encouraged headteachers to engage with traditional leaders in their respective areas.

“Collaboration with traditional title holders is essential to ensure that every eligible child is attending school,” he added.

During the rally, community leaders emphasized the crucial role of both traditional and religious authorities in promoting education. Muhammad Jarma and Ustas Muhd Nur Abdulraham appealed to parents to value both Western and Eastern education.

“Encouraging a balanced education is vital for the development of our children and our community,” they urged.

The district head of Kirikasamma, Sarkin Dawakin Hadejià Alhaji Umar Usman Ibrahim, also pledged his support. “I urge all community ward leaders to ensure that our children attend school consistently, from primary through secondary,” he affirmed, highlighting the responsibility of local leaders in shaping the future of the youth.