Kano State Government has commenced the distribution of teaching and learning materials to 5,022 learners enrolled in the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) across three local government areas of the state.
The exercise was flagged off by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, with support from Plan International Nigeria and funding from the European Union.
Each beneficiary is expected to receive a learning package comprising a school bag, exercise books, a pair of sandals and a water bottle.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Makoda commended Plan International Nigeria and its partners for their continued support towards expanding access to education, particularly for children and young people who have missed out on formal schooling.
He said the distribution of the materials would complement the state government’s efforts to provide a conducive learning environment for vulnerable learners and encourage them to remain committed to their education.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education, stressing that partnerships with development organisations remained essential to addressing educational challenges and expanding opportunities for children across the state.
He urged beneficiaries to take proper care of the materials and use them for their intended purposes.
Makoda also called on parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders and other stakeholders to continue supporting the learners throughout their educational journey.
He appreciated Plan International, relevant government agencies, programme facilitators, community stakeholders and other development partners for their contributions to the implementation of the programme.
Also speaking, the State Project Advocacy Officer of Plan International, Alhassan Hamza Hussain, said the materials would help address some of the basic needs of beneficiaries and encourage regular participation in learning activities.
Hussain expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education, education authorities, communities and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the programme.
According to programme records, the 5,022 beneficiaries are drawn from selected learning centres in Gwale, Kumbotso and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.
Kumbotso has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,643 learners, followed by Gwale with 1,211 and Nasarawa with 1,168 learners.
The ABEP is designed to provide accelerated learning opportunities for children and young people who have missed or been excluded from formal education. The programme seeks to equip them with foundational knowledge and skills while creating pathways for their integration into the formal education system.