By Alfred M. Akwe
Nasarawa State Adolescent Girls for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project implementing unit hosted a delegation from the World Bank, National Coordinating Units and the Technical Assistance on Second Chance Education leads components who are on a two day tour of non- formal sector study centres across the state.
Speaking, the World Bank Second Chance Education Lead, Dr. Amaka Haruna, said that they are in the state largely to share experience and ideas considering that the Sub-component is new as well as tour some learning centres in the State.
Contributing, the National project coordinating Units Lead, Madam Esther Kashimale added that the Second Chance education is an opportunity given “to those girls who are out of schools or who have not been to schools, those who are married, who are unmarried and those with special needs we all need them to train on vocational and entrepreneur skills for life long learning”
This according to her is the objective of the second chance education components targeted in all 18 implementing states including Nasarawa State.
Earlier, the state project Coordinator Hajiya Aishatu Aliyu Isoga while welcoming the team from Abuja and said the Nasarawa State expressed optimism that team looks out to fruitful working relationship.
She used the moment to inform the guests that the state is enthusiastic about the project and has been very supportive in the implementation of the project so far.
She lauded the role of the state Commissioner for Education Dr. John Mamman in the implementation of the State AGILE project which she described it as very supportive and quite encouraging.
Krestnews reports that before proceeding to inspect the facilities, the two teams went into close door meeting where they shared notes on challenges and way forward.
Day 1 visitation was the visitation to Lafia Women Education Centre, Nasarawa Eggon study centre and Akwanga 2nd Chance School along Wamba Road.
At the 2nd Chance School, Akwanga, the World Bank team was received by the Coordinator of the School who conducted the team round the various skills training centres within the School.
The various skills schools are: Fashion and Design; Cosmetology; Home management; Leather works; Pottery; Tie and Dye; ICT and Horticulture.
Speaking in an interview, the Second Chance National Project Coordinator, Mrs Esther Ingbiase expressed satisfaction with the various facilities seen.
She said the Project would liaise with Nasarawa State in the implementation of the project and that the Lafia Centre remains a model for adult and non formal training.
Going forward, she said the project would provide the much support it can muster in terms basic learning materials and training of instructors.
She commended Nasarawa state government for the much interest shown in the 2nd Chance School and the kind of skills being trained, saying they are all in line with the policy of the AGILE project.
Speaking in a separate interview, the Nasarawa State Project Coordinator, Hajiya Aisha Aliyu Isoga, thanked the delegation from the World Bank and the National Project Coordinating Unit for coming to asses the readiness of the state in the implementation AGILE, saying the State project will benefit hugely in the long run in the areas of collaboration, training and provision of instructional and skills acquisition training tools and equipment as well as continuous sharing of knowledge and ideas.
She also explained that the two teams are working to reach understanding on jow the state government would implement the National AGILE project along side the 2nd Chance School programme especially in terms of age differential.
As she explained, the State approves age 15 to 30 for the second chance school while AGILE approves age 15 to 25 and that those above 25 will enjoy only the state support.
Hassan Abdullahi who is the State component Lead for the Implementation of the AGILE project, expressed happiness with the World Bank team for the visit undertaken adding that it has added more strength to the State Implementing Unit, especially that the team expressed satisfaction with the facilities visited.
Hassan stressed that the state is well ready for the implementation of the project.
The State Lead further said the State is working hard to scale up the centres to cover all the Local Government Areas.
Already, he said, the State AGILE has procured the services of 100 instructors to be deployed to the various training centres across the state
Meanwhile the State Implementing Unit of the project has continued with its Advocacy to get the buy in of all critical stakeholders in the implementation of the project..