IYD: FAWE, PLAN int’l, parley youths; call for revival of Tsangaya school system
The Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) and PLAN international have called for the reformation of Tsangaya school system to ensure an all encompassing educational coverage for all.
They also sensitized youths on the dangers of some harmful practices inimical to our environment including, indiscriminate cutting of trees, blockage of water ways, lack of proper disposal of waste especially polythene bags, and bush burning amongst others.
Highlighting the dangers of such practices during a one day sensitization for youths, organized by FAWE with support from the EU funded project: strengthening CSOs to enhance education for all in Northern Nigeria in commemoration of International Youth Day (IYD) at Wuro Dole, Girei local government of Adamawa State, Ibrahim Bello, the education officer of FAWE said, the need to advocate for the revival of tsangaya schools has become inherent so as to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the north.
He noted that in view of the huge number of out-of-school children mainly in the north, there is a greater need for government to reform the Tsangaya system so that children who do not attend conventional schools will get the opportunity to have certification in formal education system.
Bello noted that the call for the reforms of Tsangaya schools became necessary in view of the fact that the north east subregion which suffered Boko Haram insurgency has the highest number of out-of-school children.
Tree planting exercise
“We are earnestly calling for the mainstreaming of Tsangaya school system into the formal system so that anyone who passed through the system will be certified as educated.
“The call has become imperative in view of the fact that the north east subregion has the highest number of out-of-school children. The situation was worsened by the twin scourges of Boko Haram insurgency and COVID-19 pandemic.
“During president Goodluck Jonathan, the government has expended huge tax payers money in forming the needed structures and templates for the operationalization of such schools. We are calling for the reformation of such structures,” he said.
Encouraging the youths who are mainly girls, Bello urged all and sundry to embrace environmentally friendly and sustainable practices such as planting of trees, clearing of water ways and a healthy refuse disposal habits.
He noted that bad and unfriendly practices toward the environment is responsible for the climate change with its attendant consequences of flooding, drought and other very extreme whether conditions.
On their parts, the youths who express joy by such intervention pledged to ensure a sustainable and friendly practices towards the environment. They also pledged to ensure that children are enrolled in schools just as they promised to step down the knowledge to other members of the society.
No fewer than 15 of them mainly girls promised to plant and nurture trees given to them during the sensitization program.
Earlier on, the national chairperson FAWE, Jiddere Musa Kaibo told the youths that no society can attain its full potentials when its people especially young ones are illiterates.
She called on the youth especially the girls to embrace education to ensure a better future adding that education is a life changer for women. She also urged them to persevere in the course of pursuing education adding that the “road is rough and harsh” but the end result justifies the means.
“The road towards getting an enduring education is replete with challenges and difficulties, but there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t allow the challenges to overwhelm you,” she said.
Also speaking, Arabo Shehu Raji and Aminu Bayero Local Education Authority and Tsangaya development initiative respectively thanked the organizers for their insightful taughts culminating in the sensitization drive.
They urged the youths to strive for education noting that in the contemporary and challenging world of today, education is the most essential tool for success’s in every field of human endeavor.
They also promised to sustain healthy environmental practices that will lead to harmonious coexistence between man and environment.
