Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Kano State Government has taken a proactive step to promote girl child education by engaging Imams to develop key messages that will encourage parents to send their daughters to school.
A workshop organized by the Kano State Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), brought together Imams from across the state to discuss strategies for promoting girl child education.
The Commissioner of Education, Haruna Doguwa, represented by the Director of Planning, Yusha’u Hamza, emphasized the importance of Imams in shaping societal norms and values.
He highlighted the AGILE project, a government initiative aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children, and stressed the critical role of Imams in its success.
“Imams play a crucial role in influencing the decisions of parents. By incorporating messages about the importance of girl child education into their sermons, they can motivate parents to prioritize their daughters’ education,” said Doguwa.
Dr. Auwalu Halilu, the Kano State Coordinator of CSACEFA, explained that the workshop aimed to address the barriers preventing girls from accessing education.
He noted that Islamic teachings strongly support education for girls and that Imams can play a pivotal role in promoting this message.
The AGILE project has made significant strides in improving access to education for girls in Kano State.
The project has funded the construction of secondary schools, provided computers and learning materials, and implemented a conditional cash transfer program to support students.
By engaging with religious leaders and implementing targeted interventions, the Kano State Government is working to ensure that all girls, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to receive quality education.
