By Philip Yatai

Save the Children International (SCI), an NGO, has distributed learning materials and hygiene kits to 4,040 primary six pupils in 20 public primary schools in Kaduna State.

The SCI Education Coordinator, Mr Ayuba Usman, said during the distribution at the Model Nursery and Primary Schools, Kawo, Kaduna on Wednesday, that the goal was to improve learning outcomes.

Usman said that the distribution, which started on Wednesday, was also to inculcate the spirit of standard hygiene as the pupils prepare to transit to Junior Secondary School.

He added that “we are targeting 20 public primary schools in Kaduna State, 10 in Kaduna North and10 in Kaduna South local government areas.

“The benefiting schools were selected in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Kaduna Local Education Authority based on the population of vulnerable children.

“About 464 pupils of Model Nursery and Primary Schools, Kawo, have been selected to benefit, using the school register and in the presence of relevant stakeholders for transparency and accountability.’’

Mrs Aishatu Yusuf, the Head Teacher, Model Nursery and Primary Schools, Kawo, thanked SCI for the gesture and assured that the pupils would put the materials to good use.

She said “the children are happy, and I will personally monitor utilisation to ensure value for money as the materials will surely improve their learning outcome and at the same time boost the morale of teachers.”

Mr Muhammed Bawa, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association, also thanked SCI for the gesture, adding that the items would go a long way in motivating pupils
to concentrate and learn better.

Mr Ibrahim Nabayi, the Chairman, School-Based Management Committee of the school, described the materials as “very critical” to the learning outcome of pupils.

Ahmed Suraj, the Head Boy of the school and his Assistant, Khalid Musa, spoke on behalf of pupils, commended SCI for the support, describing the materials donated as “one of a kind in a long time.

“We are happy for this kind gesture which will not only aid our learning but also improve our hygiene and confidence,” Suraj said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the benefiting pupils got an SCI branded school bag, exercise books, pencils, pens, mathematical set, crayons, a 2-in-1 sharpener, eraser, and a water bottle.

The hygiene kits include bathing soap, detergent, toothpaste, plastic buckets, hand sanitiser, toothbrush, drawstring and drawstring bags. (NAN)