UNICEF Train Jigawa Education Managers On Sustainable Education Planning
By Suleiman D. Suleiman
A five days workshop on Review of Jigawa state Educational Plannings and Coordination on Education Managers has ended in Dutse with a pledged by UNICEF to help the state for enhanced teaching and learning effectiveness across the state.
The workshop organized by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) attracted all Jigawa State education managers was designed to review the State Educational Strategic Operational Plan (SESOP), for enhanced teaching and learning effectiveness across the state.
In his remarks, At the event, the Director-General/CEO of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA-Nigeria), Dr David Shofoyeke, stated that the five-day programme was jointly organised by NIEPA-Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF Nigeria.
He said the workshop focus on training participants and drafting the State Education Sector Strategic Plan (SESP) and the State Education Sector Operational Plan (SESOP)
According to Dr Shofoyeke, the two foundational documents, which guide education sector reforms, resource mobilisation, policy alignment and strategic investments at the sub-national level, will be tailored to the state’s specific needs.
The task before us is not a small one. But with a clear plan, local ownership, and collective commitment, we can transform the vision of quality education for all children in Jigawa into a lasting reality, placing equity, inclusion, and quality learning at the heart of this review process. These priorities align closely with our shared goal of ensuring that no child is left behind.
“Your input today will shape your state’s education future for the next decade,” the “Ask questions, challenge assumptions, think inclusively, and build plans that will impact every child, every school, and every learning community,” he stated.
UNICEF encourages the State to explore innovative financing options, strengthen budget execution, and ensure that education resources reach schools on time. The LESOP should help local education authorities plan and implement realistic, costed activities that are fully aligned with the State Education Sector Plan and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. Also recognize that adequate financing remains a key challenge for achieving education goals. While Jigawa has continued to invest in education, we must ensure that funds are allocated efficiently, transparently, and in ways that directly improve teaching and learning.
Equity must remain the guiding principle of education delivery. The LESOP must therefore pay close attention to children who are most at risk of being left behind — girls, children with disabilities, those in remote rural communities, and those affected by poverty or insecurity.
He affirmed that NIEPA would continue to serve as a reliable technical partner and a centre of excellence, committed to supporting education managers through every step of planning and implementing educational reforms to achieve the desired goals.
Also speaking, the Education Manager UNICEF Kano Zonal office, MichaelBanda said This workshop marks an important step forward in strengthening the state’s education sector planning and implementation framework. By reviewing and updating the LESOP, Jigawa is demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based decision making, accountability, and community participation — all of which are vital ingredients for transforming education at the local level.
“We know that despite progress, many children in Jigawa still face significant barriers to accessing quality education. Some are kept out of school due to poverty, child labour, early marriage, or distance to the nearest school. Others are in school but not learning at the level expected for their age or grade”
According to him, The LESOP process provides a unique opportunity to identify these barriers in each Local Government Area and to design local solutions that respond to the specific realities of each community. Whether it’s supporting school infrastructure, improving teacher deployment, strengthening school management committees, or increasing community engagement — the LESOP must serve as a bridge between state-level policies and the needs of children at the local level.
