Save the Children graduates 352 out-of-school children, donates learning kits, opens new learning centre in Kwande LG …“Education is the right of every child; they are our hope,” says Benue Commissioner

By Johnson Arua

Save the Children International has graduated 352 out-of-school children into formal schooling, commissioned a new Temporary Learning Centre, and donated learning materials to pupils in Kwande Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State; marking another milestone in its Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP).

The colourful event, held at RCM Primary School, Jato-Aka, brought together government officials, development partners, traditional rulers, school authorities, parents, and beneficiaries.

Performing the commissioning, the Benue State Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, who also chairs the state’s Technical Committee for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) project, said the intervention was targeted at children whose education had been disrupted by displacement, conflict and other vulnerabilities.

“We are here today to witness the graduation of learners who are now certified and ready to join formal school,” she told journalists. “Education is the right of every child. They are our future, they are our hope. That is why His Excellency, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, insists we must give them the attention they deserve.”

Dr Adamu explained that the ALP was specially designed for children who had never enrolled in school or had dropped out due to insecurity and hardship.

“The programme runs for six months, sometimes nine, depending on the child’s ability. After that, we mainstream them into formal education. The goal is to ensure no child is left behind,” she added.

Responding to public concerns about declining merit in education and recruitment, the Commissioner stressed that recent opportunities in the sector had been based strictly on competence.

Accrodng to her, "those who work hard will always get the leverage. The recent SUBEB recruitment was strictly on merit, over 9,000 teachers were engaged without godfathers. How then can anyone say there is no merit?”

‘We built it from scratch’ - Save the Children

Speaking on behalf of Save the Children International, the organisation’s Education Officer for Benue State, Mr. Simon Vihi, said the Accelerated Learning Programme is part of a GPE-funded intervention being implemented across five states: Benue, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Taraba and Adamawa.

“Today we are commemorating the graduation of learners who were mapped and enrolled into a non-formal system for six to nine months. The aim is to prepare them for mainstream schooling,” he said.

Vihi confirmed that the Temporary Learning Centre commissioned at the event was fully constructed by Save the Children.

“It is a new structure we built from scratch. It is not like regular classrooms, but it serves the purpose and can later be upgraded. We are implementing these interventions in 14 schools in Kwande alone.”

He added that learning kits had been distributed to help newly enrolled pupils settle into school smoothly.

‘They have put smiles on my children’s faces’ — Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of RCM Primary School, Jato-Aka, Dr. Comfort Ajio, expressed deep gratitude for what she described as “life-changing support.”

“Save the Children introduced volunteer teachers, brought skill-acquisition programmes, built two structures and commissioned one today,” she said. “They provided bags, water bottles and many other items. They have put smiles on my children’s faces.”

Dr Ajio revealed that her school and Injorsha Primary School received special attention because both communities host large numbers of refugees and internally displaced children.
She appealed for government intervention to sustain the gains.

Parents, community leaders laud intervention

A volunteer teacher, Mr. Tersoo Nyitor, emphasised that the programme’s sustainability depends on continued GPE funding.

“Save the Children is only a catalyst. The project belongs to GPE, so others can take over even if Save the Children exits,” he noted.

Parents also testified to the impact.

Mrs. Janet Terngu, a parent and teacher from Injorsha, said the intervention had reduced her financial burden.

“They have relieved me of paying school fees for the children under my care,” she stated.

The District Head of Yaav, His Royal Highness Beebee Simon, also commended the organisation for its “relentless support to displaced children and host communities.”

The ceremony featured cultural displays, certificate presentations, parents’ reflections and the official handover of the new Temporary Learning Centre to the community.