Stakeholders in Education in Zamfara state want policy makers to consider their Culture, religion and traditions while domesticating the National Policy on Gender in Education, to enable parents sent their children to school
They said if that is considered, it will make Western Education especially for the girl child more attractive and interesting
The Stakeholders made their stand known at a two day state level meeting on National Policy on Gender in Education Organized by the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board with Support from UNICEF held in Gusau
The goal of the gender in basic Education policy, is to ensure equal access to basic Education and promote retention, Completion and high performance for all
Organisers of the event Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board and UNICEF insist that, the policy if domesticated, will help improve the standard of Education and Girl Child Enrollment
The emir of Kaura Namoda Sanusi Ahmad Asha who doubles as the Chairman of the event said for the goal to be achieved in Zamfara, Certain things need to be looked into
The Emir noted that there are many ways that could be adopted to immediately improve Girl-Child enrollment and retention, if properly followed.
He however called for the involvement of traditional rulers in running the affairs of schools in their domains
The paramount ruler of Kaura Namoda recalled the Colonial era as well as the Native authority system where the traditional rulers had full control over education system
“In schools where there are no enough classrooms to seperate the boys from the girls, the school authority should adopt the policy of putting boys in front while the girls at the back” The Emir Suggested
” If traditional rulers are carried along in the running of affairs of schools in their respective domains, it will also help in reducing the number of out of school children and encourage girl child enrollment” he said.
“If free feeding is introduced, I don’t think there will be any girl who will want to miss School”.
“Since we are guided by the sharia legal system, we have to maintain the use of hijab and decent dressing code” He explained
Emir Sanusi also advised school authorities to create reward system by giving gifts to girls who attend school regularly and are performing well.
” The government too should make teaching aids and sporting equipment available in all schools to encourage girls attend classes.
On their part, the permanent secretary, Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affiars Dr. Barira Bagobiri and
representatives of the State Ulama Consultative Council, Jamilu Ahmed stressed that, the domestication of the policy should recognize the religion and culture of the people of the state.
“When this is done, the policy could be easily implemented”.
The duo further advised that, the stakeholders should also be involved in the implementation of the policy
Earlier in his address, the chairman of the state National Policy on Gender in Education implementation committee, Attahiru Gusau said the state government has been at the vanguard in supporting issues pertaining to gender education.
Attahiru who who doubled as the permanent secretary ministry of education noted that, Zamfara is always on the lead on girls education.
He however lamented that, what has been put in the policy cannot be put into practice while appealing to those in authority to ensure full implementation of the policy.
