Kaduna partners with UNICEF on cash transfer, school enrolment for street children

The Kaduna government has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on a cash transfer programme for street children in the state.

The flag-off of the initiative, tagged ‘Children in the Streets Situation Programme’, was held on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed square in Kaduna.

The programme also offers school enrolment for street children.

Speaking at the event, Hadiza Balarabe, deputy governor of Kaduna, said the programme is part of the government’s efforts to implement its free education policy at primary and secondary school levels.

Represented by James Kanyip, deputy chief of staff, the deputy governor said the programme will begin with 2,674 almajiri kids who will each receive N5,000, adding that there are plans to increase the amount to N10,000.

The programme includes “financial inclusion through banking the beneficiaries, promoting social inclusion through birth and digital identity registration, and expanding literacy through enrolment and provision of accessory materials and uniforms”.

She said the governor’s love for children ensured the passing of the “child welfare and protection law in 2018, to domesticate the child rights act and to further strenghten policies and measures being taken to promote the access of all children to decent education and health care”.

“The focus on human capital development and equal opportunity informed the state government’s decision to make education free and compulsory for the first 12 years of schooling,” the deputy governor added.

“The government also took steps to address the distortions in the Almajirci/Tsangaya system and ensure that no child is left behind in enjoying the right to education.

“The Kaduna state government is replacing it with a more organised and humane system that allows the children to access the indicators of human development such as qualitative education and healthcare.

“KDSG’s inclusive approach treats all children resident in the state as equal citizens, educated to the same curriculum in schools regulated by the same government agency, the quality assurance authority.

“This allows suitably licensed schools to teach children their faith in addition to the secular curriculum in integrated schools.

“It is the policy of the Kaduna state government that every child must have at least 12 years of education, from primary school to the completion of senior secondary school.

“The government has also ensured that vulnerable persons are covered in the Kaduna state contributory health insurance scheme.”