The Government has officially launched evidence-based Re-entry Guidelines to enrol married adolescents and adolescent mothers back to school in Kano.

The fresh initiative being piloted by a non-governmental organization and Kano state government was part of efforts to ensure marriage does not permanently end a girl’s education.

Speaking at the launch, Senior Program Officer, ACE Charity Africa, Hassana Shuaibu said the initiative is part of significant milestone in Kano State’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for married adolescents and adolescent mothers.

According to the Shuaibu, the guidelines provide an evidence-based framework designed to support married adolescents and adolescent mothers to return to learning, remain in school and successfully complete their education.

She reminded that the guidelines were developed with technical support from ACE Charity and funding from the Malala Fund.

“A major highlight of the launch was the presentation of findings from a study conducted by ACE Charity with support from the Malala Fund, which revealed that 99 per cent of married adolescents in Kano State expressed a desire to return to school.

“The findings demonstrate that marriage does not diminish girls’ aspirations for education but that several barriers continue to prevent them from continuing their studies”. She said.

According to her, “the study identified financial hardship, childcare responsibilities, transportation costs, domestic duties and social stigma as the major obstacles facing married adolescents seeking to return to education.

“Most of the respondents indicated that financial assistance, flexible learning opportunities and childcare support would be essential to enable them successfully resume their education.

“The research also challenged common assumptions regarding community attitudes towards girls’ education, revealing strong support from community and religious leaders for married girls returning to school”. She said.

The Kano State Re-entry Guidelines provide a roadmap for implementation through flexible learning pathways, strengthened learning centres, childcare and psychosocial support services, facilitator training, community sensitisation and engagement as well as robust monitoring systems to track enrolment, retention, completion and transition outcomes.

The framework also emphasises the active involvement of husbands, traditional and religious leaders and other male champions in supporting girls’ education.

In addition, the guidelines clearly define the roles and responsibilities of government ministries and agencies, schools, School-Based and Community-Based Management Committees, development partners, civil society organisations and the media in ensuring effective implementation. (The Guardian)

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