The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has begun a five-day workshop to train Jigawa State education managers on reviewing the State Educational Strategic Operational Plan (SESOP)., for enhance teaching and learning effectiveness across the state.
Participants in the training and planning review include Local Education Secretaries, Gender Desk Officers, and directors from the State Universal Basic Education Board.
The review of the strategic plan, which focuses primarily on basic education, aims to improve foundational skills and learning outcomes within the sector.
In his address at the opening session of the program Mr Michael Banda and Education Manager UNICEF Kano office said, the workshop marks an important step forward in strengthening the state’s education sector planning and implementation framework. By reviewing and updating the LESOP,
“This work is a clear demonstration of Jigawa state 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. Mr Banda stated
He added that. 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.
Speaking at the event, Dr. David Shofoyeke, the Director-General/CEO of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA-Nigeria), stated that the five-day program was jointly organized by NIEPA-Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF Nigeria.
He said. the workshop focuses on training participants and drafting the State Education Sector Strategic Plan (SESP) and the State Education Sector Operational Plan (SESOP).
According to Dr. Shofoyeke, these two foundational documents, which guide education sector reforms, resource mobilization, policy alignment, and strategic investments at the sub-national level, will be tailored to the state’s specific needs.
“The development of robust and responsive SESP and SESOP documents provides the blueprint through which states articulate their education vision, establish targets, and operationalize interventions within their policy and resource environment,” he said.
He described the projects as “pivotal, as they lay the groundwork for evidence-based, gender-transformative, equity/disability-inclusive, and crisis/climate change-resilient sector planning in education.”
“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.”NIEPA Director stated.
By: Muhammad Zangina Kura
At’tajdid News.
