The Borno State Government has flagged off a “Back-to-School Campaign” aimed at taking children off the streets during school hours and encouraging them to return to school.
The campaign was officially launched by its coordinator, Mohammed Ali Imam, at the Commissioner of Police Junction along Mohammediu Indimi Road in Maiduguri.
Speaking at the event, Imam urged parents and guardians to take responsibility for ensuring that children are in school rather than engaging in street hawking during school hours. He stressed that education is essential to securing a better future for children.
The launch was attended by representatives of the state education authorities, including the Director of Schools at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hadiza Shettima, who represented the Commissioner for Education, and Alhaji Abba Kurama, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, who represented the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Education Trust Fund (BOETF).
As part of the campaign, 150 children were enrolled at Shehu Garbai Primary School. The newly enrolled pupils were also provided with school bags, shoes, uniforms, books and breakfast to encourage regular school attendance.
Imam said the campaign would be expanded to all 27 Local Government Areas of Borno State, with the goal of eliminating child street hawking during school hours and improving access to education.
He thanked government officials, parents, education stakeholders and other supporters for their cooperation, while expressing optimism that the campaign would achieve its objectives.
