The Kano State Government has launched new guidelines aimed at helping married adolescent girls and adolescent mothers return to school, in partnership with Assisting, Caring and Empowering (ACE) Charity and with support from the Malala Fund.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ACE Charity is a non-profit organisation that promotes education, healthcare access and economic empowerment for orphans, vulnerable children, adolescent girls and women in Nigeria.
The organisation collaborates with state governments and development partners, including the Malala Fund, to expand access to quality education across Africa.
Simon said findings from the study showed that 99 per cent of married adolescents expressed a desire to return to school.
According to her, the new guidelines provide an evidence-based framework to help married adolescent girls and adolescent mothers re-enrol in school, remain in education and complete their studies.
“The Kano State re-entry guidelines are the government’s response to these findings.
“The guidelines were developed by the Kano State Ministry of Education with technical support from ACE Charity and funding from the Malala Fund.
Simon explained that the guidelines outline practical measures to support implementation, including flexible learning pathways, strengthened learning centres, childcare and psychosocial support, facilitator training, capacity building and community sensitisation.
She said the framework also encourages the active involvement of husbands, traditional and religious leaders, and other male advocates, while establishing monitoring systems to track enrolment, retention, completion and transition outcomes.
Simon urged government agencies, development partners, community leaders and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the guidelines to ensure that every married adolescent girl and adolescent mother who wishes to continue her education is given the opportunity to do so.
