US lends hand to 80,000 out-of-school kids

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided a peaceful environment for basic education and psychosocial support to more than 80,000 out-of-school youths in five conflictaffected states in northeast Nigeria.

Through the Education Crisis Response (ECR) activity, USAID in conjunction with state governments and civil society organisations established more than 1,400 non-formal learning centres, according to a statement from the US Embassy in Abuja.

The centres, the statement said, focused on teaching literacy and basic mathematics, and provided socio-emotional learning activities to counter the negative effects of violent extremism.

More than instructors, known 800 as learning facilitators, were trained to staff the centres, while more than 11,000 teachers in the formal sector also received training on socioemotional learning and enhanced basic education instructional techniques.

“For some 22,000 older learners, the ninemonth basic education curriculum was complemented by marketoriented vocational skills that helped participants generate income for their families.

“Additional special Adolescent Girl Centers help teenage girls heal, learn, and gain valuable life skills,” the statement said.

The three-year, $24.7 million ECR officially closed on January 26, 2018.

“The ECR activity helped to answer widespread demand for quality secular, primary education in north-east Nigeria,” USAID Mission Director Stephen M. Haykin said.