Jigawa Approves Gender Education Policy to Boost Girls’ School Enrolment

The Jigawa State Executive Council has approved a new gender education policy aimed at removing barriers to school enrolment, retention and learning outcomes, particularly for adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups.

The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Support and Culture, Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmad, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

He said the policy, known as the Jigawa State Policy on Gender in Education and its Implementation Guidelines, was designed to promote equal access to quality education for all children, regardless of gender or socio-economic background.

According to the commissioner, the approval reflects the state government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector and ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity to receive quality education.

Ahmad explained that the policy was developed with support from the Jigawa State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.

He said the initiative would address socio-cultural barriers and harmful practices that prevent children, particularly adolescent girls, from enrolling in school, remaining in education and completing their studies.

The policy is also expected to strengthen institutional capacity, encourage community participation and improve cooperation among government agencies, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, parents and other stakeholders.

The commissioner added that the policy aligns with Nigeria’s national education priorities and international commitments to inclusive education and gender equality.

He noted that it also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, and Goal 5, which promotes gender equality.

The state government expects the policy and its implementation guidelines to provide a framework for expanding inclusive and equitable educational opportunities across Jigawa State, with particular attention to children facing barriers to accessing and completing their education.