*Inaugurates Quality Education And Girl-Child (LUMINAH 2030) Initiative
Towards breaking the yoke of poverty in Nigeria forever, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, on Friday pushed for Education for more girl child.
According to him, the more girl child is educated, the more the cycle of poverty is broken in Nigeria.
He made the remark while inaugurating the implementation committees of Luminah 2030 and Quality Education and Learning Outcomes Initiatives, in Abuja.
"What you do by training a girl child is breaking cycle of poverty, forever," the Minister stated.
Shedding light on the committee, he said "The Luminah Girl Child Initiative and the broader Quality Education and Learning Outcomes Program are all targeted towards addressing out of school children.
"These initiatives are bold steps in transforming the educational landscape of our nation. By investing in the education of our children-especially the girl child we are investing in a future that is brighter, more prosperous, and filled with limitless possibilities." the Minister said
The Committee's inauguration, he said, is not just the launch of an initiative; but a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to create an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education system that leaves no child behind.
The Minister listed the committees to be inaugurated under the Quality education and learning outcome to include National Monitoring of Learning Achievement (NMLA) Committee, School Grading Committee, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, Teacher Capacity Building-Communities of Practice (Cop) committee, and the Teacher Capacity Building-Training Manual/National Framework committee.
He said that the committees under Luminah 2030 are National Steering Committee, Technical Advisory committee, Stakeholder Engagement Advocacy and Communication committee, Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability committee, and Private Sector, Development Partners and Donor Engagement committee.
Dr. Alausa charged the members to approach the assignment with utmost dedication, professionalism, and a sense of purpose.
"On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, I assure you of our total commitment to this initiative. We will provide all the necessary resources and institutional support in order to ensure that these programs come to fruition." he said
The Minister also noted that the Education ministry has launched its six key priority intervention areas within the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) for Renewed Hope.
According to him, they included "• Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences, • Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Out of School Children, Girl Child Education, Data & Digitalization, and Education Quality Assurance."
He said that out of the key priority areas, the Ministry has inaugurated a committee of the implementation of the Nigerian Education Data Initiative (NEDI) which "represents a transformative milestone in our collective mission to reposition the Nigerian Education sector as a beacon of excellence."
The Minister added that the leadership of the ministry is also working hard towards transforming Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria by repositioning the Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) and provisions of more Skill Training Centres (STCs) and Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIS).
"This will play a greater role in addressing the pressing issues of youth unemployment in the country.
"The discussions, insights, and shared aspirations we have witnessed today are a testament to the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change in the other three (3) key priority areas." he said
The success of the initiatives, he noted, does not rest solely on government efforts.
"It requires the unwavering support of all stakeholders-educators, parents, development partners, the private sector, and civil society. Education is a shared responsibility, and together, we must continue to push the boundaries of innovation, inclusion, and excellence." he stated
He expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad for her leadership, the Honourable Ministers of Women Affairs, Hounorable Minister of Trade & Investment, Director-General of NITDA, Development partners and other stakeholders for their invaluable contributions.
"Your dedication and partnership will continue to be instrumental in ensuring that these programs achieve their intended impact.
"As we leave here today, let us do so with a renewed commitment to action. Let us turn these words and promises into tangible results that will uplift our children, strengthen our communities, and secure a prosperous future for our nation." the Minister said
On her part, the Minister of State, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, said that the key initiatives will redefine the future of education in Nigeria.
"Today, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all, with a special emphasis on empowering the girl-child and enhancing learning outcomes for every student.
"Education remains the bedrock of national progress and sustainable development, and through the Luminah Girl-Child Initiative and our broader Quality Education and Learning Outcomes initiatives, we are taking decisive steps to bridge educational gaps, foster innovation, and equip our young people with the skills, competences and knowledge needed to thrive in a dynamic world."
She pointed out that the fundamental pillar of the mission is empowering Nigerian educators and ensuring they have the necessary training, resources, and support to deliver high-quality, future-focused instruction that meet the diverse and changing needs of learners.
The Minister added "Equally vital is our commitment to illuminating pathways for the girl-child and women, ensuring that education becomes a powerful tool for breaking barriers, driving economic empowerment,
"Equally vital is our commitment to illuminating pathways for the girl-child and women, ensuring that education becomes a powerful tool for breaking barriers, driving economic empowerment, and fostering gender equity.
"By investing in inclusive learning opportunities, we are not just educating individuals we are building stronger families, resilient communities, and a more prosperous nation.
"As we launch these transformative programs, let us renew our shared commitment to building an inclusive, resilient, and future-ready education system. Together, we can inspire change, unlock opportunities, and empower future generations." she stated.
During her presentation on LUMINAH 2030, she said the programme aims at increasing access to education, especially reaching out to out of school children, among others.
According to her, the LUMINAH 2030 is structured in three phases including Root, STEM, and Bloom segments.
While the first two are looking at children, she said that the third phase of Bloom is targeting adults.
With the initiatives, she said the Ministry hoped to see improvements in schools in the next few years in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4.
SDG 4, bordering on Quality education, is a Global Goal on commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.