From Divine Macaulay, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has initiated the Reaching Out-of-School Program (ROOSC) as a transformative step toward promoting equitable and sustainable educational development.
This programme aims to address the issue of out-of-school children in the state.
During a media event, Project Monitoring Unit Coordinator Ezra Angai highlighted that the ROOSC project is earning national and international recognition for its comprehensive approach to making education more accessible, improving quality, and strengthening education systems in underserved communities.
ROOSC was launched in response to the ongoing challenge of children being excluded from formal education and has emerged as a beacon of hope for out-of-school children. With support from implementing partners such as Save the Children International (SCI) and UNICEF, the initiative demonstrates how targeted action and system-wide reforms can lead to lasting change.
Angai emphasized three core components critical to the project’s success, starting with Accessibility “The heart of ROOSC’s mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of socioeconomic background, gender, disability, or location, has access to a meaningful education.
Education is a right, not a privilege. We are committed to removing every obstacle that keeps children out of the classroom,” he stated.
To enhance accessibility, the plan includes building 102 new schools to improve proximity for children. Additionally, 170 existing schools, including learning centers like Qur’anic schools and Tsangaya, will be renovated. Learning kits will be provided to these institutions to support students’ growth.
The initiative will also work with Tsangaya and Qur’anic schools to introduce basic literacy and numeracy through the Accelerated Basic Education Program (ABEP), which aims to expedite learning over nine months. Children attending informal schools will receive formal education to improve their skills.
Angai explained that ROOSC is utilizing mobile schools, community-based learning centers, and accelerated learning programs as strategies to bring children back into the education system. For regions affected by displacement and conflict, ROOSC is leveraging digital platforms and localized curricula to overcome significant barriers.
“While getting children into school is crucial, ROOSC understands that access alone is not enough. The initiative emphasizes improving the quality of education by equipping teachers with training, providing modern teaching materials, and integrating child-centered pedagogies,” Angai noted.
Save the Children International will be directly involved in enhancing the quality of learning. Through partnerships with teacher training institutions and investment in evidence-based curriculum development, ROOSC aims to elevate learning outcomes and ensure that education prepares children for life, work, and active citizenship.
Preliminary impact assessments have already indicated improved literacy and numeracy rates among previously out-of-school children, showcasing the program’s commitment to excellence. However, Angai believes there is still more work to be done.
Instead of operating in isolation, ROOSC has entrusted the responsibility of system strengthening to UNICEF and the ministries of education. Currently, training is underway for head teachers on using management systems for data collection, which will facilitate the collection of annual data from local to state levels.
Collaboration with UNICEF database consultants will help establish a system for the state’s Ministry of Education to track each child’s school attendance consistently.
Once this system is in place, the ministry will have a robust website, enabling citizens to monitor progress in getting out-of-school children back into education.
The overall target is to return 200,000 out-of-school children to school within four years, alongside building 102 new schools, renovating 170 classrooms, and distributing over 500,000 teaching and learning materials.
This will include training and capacity development for teachers, supervisors, and quality assurance personnel.
Earlier, Emmanuel Mbursa Madu, Director of Save the Children International (SCI) for the ROOSC Project, emphasized the importance of addressing gender and disability issues within the project. He noted that the initiative aims to identify and remove barriers to education affecting both boys and girls while supporting individuals with disabilities. An assessment will be conducted to determine if assistive devices can be provided in partnership with agencies focused on disability inclusion.
