NGO Midwifes Basic Education Program in Fulani Settlement in Bauchi
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Some proteges of an International NGO known as Women for Women International (WFWI) have facilitated the establishment of a basic education program in a Fulani settlement of Tirwhum community of Bauchi LGA in Bauchi State.
The basic education program was unveiled in Rudugungun community, which had been in existence for about 50 years without any formal education system, on Monday February, 21, 2022, amidst commendations by the community members.
The setting up of the basic education program by Women for Women International was in collaboration with Non-formal Education department of Bauchi LGA as well as the Nomardic Education Agency.
As part of their intervention in Bauchi State, WFWI , whose area of competence is centered around issues of violence against women and the girl child, selected and trained 24 Women Change Advocates and 3 Male Champions on how to mitigate SGBV in communities.
It was in the course of carrying out their enlightenment campaign that the Change Agents and Champions identified that lack of basic education in the community, had subjected the Girl-child to early marriage and illiteracy.
Leader of the Women Change Agents, Hindatu Hassan Faruk said that, "We discovered that the girl child in the community was lagging behind, so, we paid advocacy visits to the community and at the fourth visit, the community agreed for us to start a basic education class here".
An elated Hindatu Hassan said that, "Alhamdulillah, today, our joy knows no bound, our efforts are not in vain, we have opened up avenue for the girl child to be liberated through basic education. She will through this class, know her rights and basic principles of life".
The Village Head of Tirwun who was represented by Mohammad commended Women for Women International for discovering the community and establishing the basic nomadic class in the community.
He stressed that basic education is the most important thing to bestow a child especially the girl child calling on the community to ensure that they released the children to attend the school.
The Ardo of the community, Mal Yau Adamu expressed happiness that many years after the establishment of the settlement, they are privileged to have a basic school saying that the community had tried in the past but failed.
He assured that that children in the area will be enrolled, calling on government and other NGOs to complement the efforts of Women for Women International by providing school structure for easy learning.
In his remarks, the Deputy Director, Non-formal and Adult Education, Bauchi LGA, Babangida Umar commended Women for Women International for discovering the community through its Women Change Agents initiative saying that it has complemented the efforts of the LGA in the area of education.
The Deputy Director also assured that the Council will take over the school and send teacher to the community explaining however that it will be 2 times in a week for now until the school takes deep root.
To demonstrate their seriousness in ensuring that the school took off immediately, the community donated a space, mats, exercise books, pencils, blackboard and other teaching aids needed for the over 50 pupils who have been enrolled in the program.