By Our Reporter
A Coalition of NGOs, Center For Advocacy, Transparency & Accountability Initiative (CATAI), and Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD) have donated a sum of donations of #10,000,020 to the Borno State Government to purchase school unions for those children affected by recent floods in Jere and Maiduguri.
The Executive Director of CATAI, Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu led the delegation along with the Executive Director of CASFOD), Benjamin John, in a brief event to present the cheque to the State Commissioner for Education, Science Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
Sadiq said he led a delegation to condole with the people over the recent flood disaster, which had destroyed lives and properties.
He informed the gathering that two NGOs are members of the Education in Emergency(EiE)Sector Group, which prioritizes access to quality education and safe learning for all the age school children.
He added that the magnitude of the destruction caused by recent floods, especially in education sectors, is overwhelming and needs urgent support from all and sundry.
“Aside from the donation of #10,000,020, we presented to your Ministry, CATAI and CASFOD shall supply 700 school bags and books to further support student retention across the affected areas.
“We believe that this strategic intervention would alleviate the financial burden on parents as well as enhance enrollment in our schools,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of CASFOD), Benjamin John, said they recognized the challenges faced by families in post-flood disaster, urging the government to activate the mechanism that would safeguard schools after the flood disaster.
He reiterated that the EiE sector group would continue to partner and render necessary support to the Ministry of Education in view to ensure all child have access to quality education regardless of their status.
Responding, the State Commissioner for Education, Science Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe lamented that the recent flood disaster has left a huge setback to the education calenders, noting he initiated a damage assessment so that all destroyed school infrastructure would be put back very quickly to enable children to return to classrooms.
“Our teams inspected the majority of our schools in the flood-affected areas like Abbaganaram, Goni Kachallahari, old Maiduguri, Gomboru, and others. Most of the children were without uniforms or any writing materials.
He decried the magnitude of destruction: “You see, waste evacuated is mostly dissolved paper from what was once textbooks, exercise books. And then, when you look at houses, most of the refuse evacuated is clothing and what is left of furniture. And this clothing included school uniforms. So to rebuild the resilience of education is a very good thing.
“So your donations are timely; as you have pointed out, it is meant to provide school uniforms and school sanders for most affected Schools in Jere and Maiduguri. I can assure CATAI and CASFOD that it will be utilized judiciously. I thank you for this support,” he assured.
Our Correspondent reports that intervention is set to benefit over 400,000 children, ensuring their education continues unhindered irrespective of their background and status in society.
