From Usman Kolawole, Gombe
In a bid to tackle the menace of out-of-school girl child, Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has laughed an initiative to address the issue by embark on building of not les than 23 new secondary schools with the plan to enrol 8,000 girls annually.
The State aimed to achieve this through what it called Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE)Project.
Speaking to journalists, AGILE Coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna Abdul, commended the governor for his support and dedication to advancing girl-child education in Gombe.
She highlighted that AGILE aims to empower adolescent girls by providing access to education and skill development, fostering their role as active contributors to society. “Educating the girl child lays a foundation for a better society,” she noted.
To tackle barriers such as poverty, the project will offer scholarships, targeting 10,000 girls in its first year and expanding each year throughout the project’s five-year duration. Each selected girl will receive a termly stipend for essential school materials.
Explained that AGILE plans to construct 26 schools—13 junior and 13 senior secondary schools across areas in need, while establishing two skills centers in each of the state’s 11 local government areas. These centers will offer vocational training to support out-of-school children.
According to her the project will integrate digital resources in the newly built schools, including computer labs, internet access, and solar power to ensure consistent service.
Furthermore, AGILE includes a behavioral change component aimed at shifting societal perceptions about educating girls.
Dr. Amina urged public support for AGILE, assuring that the project team remains accessible for addressing any community concerns, reinforcing their commitment to successful implementation.
