Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development says, the concept notes for the Alternate School Programme (ASP) for over ten million out-of-school children is ready for adoption.
Farouq made this known during the second meeting of the National Steering Committee (NSC) for the ASP on Tuesday in Abuja.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, we have spent the last few weeks in engagement with various stakeholders, in a bid to refine and strengthen the ASP Concept.
“This is to ensure successful implementation of this programme; for it is upon this foundation that we can begin to erect necessary building blocks.
“I am pleased with the outcome of these engagements and I hope that the NSC is able to quickly adopt and ratify the Concept Note to enable us forge ahead as swiftly as possible,” Farouq said.
She urged the members of the Committee to remain mindful of the fact that the ASP possesses the potential for every child to gain access to quality education, irrespective of social, cultural or economic standing.
She added that the ASP also seeks to equip children with the requisite skills and wherewithal to engage with and contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy.
“However, we must all keep in mind that leadership and strategic direction remain critical to ensuring that this laudable concept can be brought to fruition.
“Thus, the significance of each of the members of the NSC in providing the necessary leadership for the success of the programme cannot be overemphasised.
“And, as charged by Mr. President, the success of the ASP will rely largely on inter-ministerial collaboration and effective stakeholder engagement,” Farouq said.
She urged the committee members to remain committed to this cause and continue to work together to ensure that the beneficiaries were able to enjoy very successful outcomes.
Speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said the concept notes signified that work has began for proper implementation of the ASP.
Nwajiuba said the Concept notes was a guide to ensure effective implementation of the programme.
He restated the commitment of the Education Ministry to ensure effective implementation and success of the ASP in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ASP is designed to improve access to education for all Nigerians children in line with the aspirations of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-4) on ‘Qualitative and inclusive education for all and significantly reduce the number of Out-of-School-Children through the integration of formal and informal educational systems.
It aims at eliminating or substantially reducing itinerancy, child begging and foster tolerance, unity and integration of all children with diverse backgrounds.By targeting out of school children, the programme will ensure that more children are equipped with basic literacy skills, reasoning capabilities, technical and vocational expertise that will enable them to live fulfilled lives. (NAN)