By Sahel Reporters, Bauchi
In a move toward domesticating the National Gender Policy in Education in Bauchi State, the Young Leaders Network (YLN), under its Strengthening Advocacy for Girls’ Education (SAGE) Project, with funding support from the Malala Fund, has convened a Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting in partnership with the Bauchi State Ministry of Education and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.
The meeting, held on Wednesday in Bauchi, brought together key stakeholders from the education sector who will play vital roles in implementing the Bauchi State Gender in Education Policy (BSGiEP). Participants reviewed, assessed, and made inputs to the Draft Guidelines for the Re-entry of Married and Pregnant Adolescent Girls into Schools, a major component of the draft policy.
Speaking at the event, Charity Solomon, Project Manager of SAGE at YLN, said the consultative meeting was designed to ensure that the policy reflects the realities of schools and communities in Bauchi State.
“The purpose of our gathering today is to review the Gender Policy and the re-entry guidelines for married and pregnant adolescent girls,” she explained. “We deemed it fit to consult principals, teachers, students, and other key actors who will be directly responsible for implementing the policy.”
She added that the forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to make meaningful contributions that would ensure the final policy document is practical, inclusive, and context-specific.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of Young Leaders Network, Seun Justin Onarinde, noted that the meeting built on the foundation laid during a recent three-day co-creation workshop and a series of expert review sessions.
“Today’s consultation aims to engage those at the very heart of implementation — our school proprietors, managers, and teachers,” he said. “We want this policy not to sit on the shelf but to be alive in our schools — guiding teachers, protecting learners, and giving every girl a second chance to learn, grow, and thrive.”
A seasoned educationist, Hajiya Aisha Kilishi, led the technical session with a presentation on “Addressing Stigma and Reintegration Challenges in Schools.” She walked participants through practical strategies to prevent discrimination, promote psychosocial support, and foster acceptance of returning students.
At the end of the meeting, participants’ recommendations and observations were harmonized and will be incorporated into the final version of the guidelines, paving the way for validation and adoption by the state government.
