From Edirin Robinson, in Kaduna
Save the Children International (SCI), under its project Education Cannot Wait (EWC), has officially commissioned newly renovated classrooms and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across several communities in the Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The ECW project aims to restore dignity and safety to learning environments that had fallen into a deep state of dilapidation.
The intervention targeted schools in vulnerable rural areas, including Rubi 1, Gwagwada, Dande, Sabon Gaya, Kauradole, Siddi, and Dattawa. Before the project, these schools faced challenges such as broken and unsafe classroom structures, inadequate or non-existent sanitation facilities, and limited access to clean water for pupils and staff.
The Education Officer at SCI, Favour Iloma, explained during the handover ceremony that the ECW program is a multifaceted approach to improve the quality and inclusivity of education.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the initiative includes Radio Remote Learning for children without access to schools and the provision of instructional and writing materials.
“This renovation is part of our efforts to ensure that children have access to quality education and a safe learning environment,” said, adding that the new latrines feature separate sections for boys and girls with handwashing stations.
At LEA Primary School, Sabon Gaya, the Head Teacher, John Paul, disclosed that the intervention has led to a significant increase in the number of enrolled pupils and has motivated teachers to remain on the job.
”This block of two classrooms renovated by the NGO houses more than 500 learners. Because of the intervention, teachers felt encouraged, and learners were motivated to return to school. We have seen a lot of changes.”
The provision of writing materials has been particularly impactful for less privileged families, removing the financial barriers that previously kept their children out of school.
Furthermore, SCI has improved the quality of learning activities by investing in the training and retraining of school staff in modern teaching methodologies.
In his remarks, the Director for Mobilization at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Lawal Kabir, lauded SCI for the intervention, citing it as proof of SCI’s commitment to quality education.
He tasked the school management and community leaders with taking ownership and protecting the renovated facilities from damage.
Similarly, the Director of the Kaduna State Agency for Mass Education (SAME), Hajiya Nafisat Bello, called for the development of formal maintenance plans to ensure the facilities benefit future generations.
In response, community leaders, represented by Bala Habib, pledged to monitor the structures closely and perform repairs as needed to prevent total breakdown.
While the current intervention has brought joy and hope to the communities, SCI noted that scaling these initiatives to other parts of Kaduna State depends on continued donor support.
