The Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has unveiled an ambitious plan to mobilise 16,000 mothers to participate in school monitoring, a move designed to enhance school safety, increase enrollment, and improve learning outcomes across the state’s basic schools.
The announcement was made by the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Professor Haruna Musa, during a training session for 57 gender officers drawn from all 27 local government areas of Jigawa State. The event, held in Dutse, the state capital, marks a major step in the state’s ongoing education reforms under Governor Malam Umar Namadi.
Empowering Mothers for Stronger Schools
According to Professor Musa, the new initiative will see five mothers selected and mentored in every basic school. These mothers will play a central role in monitoring school activities, supporting teachers, and ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for their children.
“These mothers will focus on key areas, including ensuring children attend school with necessary learning materials. They will also check whether learning has taken place by reviewing their children’s books when they return home,” Musa explained.
He added that the mothers will actively promote school enrollment within their communities, helping to tackle the persistent issue of out-of-school children in Jigawa State. Another critical responsibility will be to monitor the safety and well-being of students, protecting them from physical abuse, neglect, or security threats.
Scaling Up a Successful Pilot
The school mothers’ group initiative is not entirely new. Professor Musa revealed that over 3,600 mothers in pilot local governments have already been trained and mentored. The Board now plans to scale up the programme until every basic school in Jigawa has its own mothers’ group.
The ongoing training for Local Education Authority gender officers is part of this expansion. These officers will be equipped to support and collaborate with the mothers’ groups, ensuring the initiative is effective and sustainable.
Fighting Learning Poverty and Out-of-School Rates
Jigawa State, like much of Nigeria, faces significant challenges in education, including high rates of out-of-school children and learning poverty. By engaging mothers directly in the school system, SUBEB hopes to foster greater community ownership and accountability.
Professor Musa expressed optimism that the initiative would help address these challenges, stating:
“By engaging mothers in education, the Board hopes to improve learning outcomes and literacy levels in the state.”
He also called on the general public to support the government’s efforts to revitalise the education sector, emphasising that quality education must be accessible to every child.
A Model for Community Participation
The mothers’ monitoring groups are part of a broader strategy to involve communities in school management. By leveraging the influence and dedication of mothers, the state government aims to create a culture of care, responsibility, and active participation around schools.
The initiative is expected to:
- Increase school attendance and reduce dropout rates.
- Improve student performance through regular home-based learning checks.
- Enhance student safety by providing a community-based protection network.
- Promote gender equity by empowering women as leaders and advocates for education.
Conclusion
Jigawa State’s plan to mobilise 16,000 mothers for school monitoring represents a bold and innovative approach to improving education. By making mothers partners in the education process, the government is fostering community ownership, boosting enrollment, and ensuring safer and more effective schools. As this initiative expands statewide, it offers a promising model for other states seeking to address learning poverty and build a brighter future for all children.
