Bauchi to boost enrollment of orphans, vulnerable children in schools

The Executive Chairman of Bauchi state Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency Hassana Arkilla Bogoro, has said that the state will increase the annual enrollment of orphans and less privileged children into primary schools from 3,000 to 5,000.

Bogoro, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Bauchi, said that the aim of increasing the enrolment was to fulfill the thematic area of education of the agency towards orphans and vulnerable children in the state.

She said the agency planned to involve religious leaders in the the state to boost enrollment drive for orphans and vulnerable children.

“In the past we use hamlets and village heads but now we are going to include pastors, Imams, and Ulamas because they also know where these children exist so they can bring their names and register them.

“When I assumed office some months ago, I discovered that we were having 3,000 registered pupils across all the 20 local government areas in the state. That is not enough. More are outside there that are yet to be enrolled. We want to improve the enrolment to 5,000,” she said.

“The children are usually enrolled in public schools in their locality. We plan to continue to track them through our Orphans and Vulnerable Children officials within the local governments to increase the enrollment figures,” she added.

The chairman said the agency would provide each of the enrolled pupil two sets of uniforms, two pairs of stoking and exercise books.

She also said the agency would give each of them a durable school bag.