Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has reiterated that education remained the cornerstone of sustainable development and national progress.
Represented by the state’s Head of Service, Dr Hamidu Kara, Governor Kefas said his administration would continue to ensure that every child in the state had access to quality learning.
He disclosed this during the launch of the Nigerian Learning Passport in Taraba State.
According to him, “The Nigeria Learning Passport represents a bold step forward in our commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in their educational journey, especially in these challenging times.”
He further explained that the innovative platform would provide flexible, accessible, and inclusive learning opportunities, particularly for children affected by crises or disruptions to traditional schooling, in line with the government’s free education agenda.
He called on stakeholders, teachers, and students to fully embrace, promote, and utilise the platform.
The UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, gave the commendation during the official launch of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in Jalingo.
Dr Rafique, who was represented by the Education Officer at UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Raphael Aiyedipe, noted that the state’s proactive education policies had increased student enrolment from approximately 760,000 to more than one million pupils since the inception of the current administration.
She also applauded the government for promoting inclusive education for children with special needs while strengthening teacher recruitment and professional training frameworks.
According to her, the rollout of the digital learning platform was made possible through collaborations with Microsoft, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Airtel, IHS Towers, and TECNO.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Taraba State Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, on Wednesday launched the Nigeria Learning Passport across 50 pilot schools to enable students in crisis-affected areas to access education.
UNICEF also commended the Taraba State Government for its educational reforms, citing Governor Agbu Kefas’s policies on free and compulsory basic and secondary education, the abolition of illegal school fees, and the distribution of free learning materials
She said the programme was designed to dismantle connectivity barriers, reduce the number of out-of-school children, and guarantee learning continuity across vulnerable communities.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, announced that the pilot phase of the programme would begin in 50 schools across the state.
She assured that the state would scale up the initiative to more schools to benefit students across the state.
“The Nigeria Learning Passport is an innovative digital learning platform designed to provide free, equitable and flexible access to a wide range of quality educational resources.
“It offers learners the opportunity to acquire knowledge beyond the traditional classroom environment while strengthening their digital literacy and independent learning skills.
“Of particular importance is its capacity to support displaced, vulnerable and underserved learners, ensuring that education does not come to a standstill during emergencies. Whether arising from insecurity, communal conflicts, natural disasters such as flooding, displacement or other unforeseen circumstances, the platform provides an alternative means through which children can continue learning even when access to conventional schools is disrupted.
According to her, nationwide, the Nigeria Learning Passport has already reached over 12 million learners and is accessible across several states of the federation.
“I am therefore particularly pleased that Taraba State is now joining this growing network of states benefiting from this transformative educational intervention.”
She acknowledged that Taraba State, like several other parts of the country, has experienced challenges associated with insecurity, communal conflicts, displacement and inadequate access to educational resources in some communities.
“These challenges have, at different times, disrupted the learning process and created gaps in the education of our children.
“The introduction of the Nigeria Learning Passport is therefore timely and strategic. It will complement our existing educational interventions, bridge learning gaps and provide our learners with greater opportunities to access quality educational content, irrespective of their geographical location or circumstances.
The Commissioner disclose that the initiative also aligns with the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State, whose administration remains committed to making education accessible, inclusive and affordable for every child.
“Our commitment to educational transformation goes beyond the construction and renovation of school infrastructure; it also involves embracing innovation, technology and modern approaches that prepare our children for the demands of the 21st century.
She express the profound appreciation of the Government and good people of Taraba State to UNICEF for its invaluable partnership and technical support in making this initiative a reality.
She particularly acknowledge Mr. Harold for his engagement and the collaborative efforts that helped translate this vision into reality. We equally appreciate Airtel Nigeria for supporting the installation of 50 routers in selected public primary and secondary schools across the state.
“This intervention will significantly improve internet connectivity and facilitate access to digital learning resources.To our education managers, school administrators, teachers, parents and other stakeholders.
She urge all to embrace the initiative and ensure that its benefits reach the intended learners, adding that its successful implementation will require collective responsibility, effective coordination, proper utilization of available facilities and sustained monitoring.
“We must ensure that the routers and other facilities provided are properly maintained, that teachers are adequately supported to integrate digital learning into classroom activities, and that students, particularly those in vulnerable and underserved communities, are encouraged to take full advantage of this opportunity.
“The future of education is increasingly digital, and Taraba State cannot afford to be left behind. By embracing the Nigeria Learning Passport, we are not merely introducing a digital platform; we are opening new doors of opportunity, promoting educational resilience and investing in a generation of digitally empowered learners – she stated.
“Let us therefore work together to ensure that no child is left behind and that every learner, regardless of location, background or circumstance, has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
“Together, let us build an inclusive, resilient and technology-driven education system that guarantees learning opportunities for every child in Taraba State,” the Commissioner concluded.
For a better society
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