The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, on Friday, February 26, 2021 launched the distribution of over 10,000 textbooks to help improve the reading skills of children in nearly 2,450 public schools in Oyo State.
In a ceremony, held at the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OyoSUBEB, the USAID Northern Education Initiative Plus Chief of Party, Nurudeen Lawal, handed over copies of Yoruba Early Grade Reading materials ‘Je K’a Ka’we,’ to the executive chairman of OyoSUBEB.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Adeniran said that the Oyo State government remains committed to investing in the future of children in public schools, through education.
Thanking the United States’ government, for being a worthy partner in the Seyi Makinde-led administration’s vision to ensure all children learn to read and write fluently, especially in their mother tongue, Adeniran said, “Every child deserves quality basic education and we thank the United States, who we believe is a proud partner with the Oyo State government. “They have invested in the future of our children who will grow to make a positive contribution in their communities.”
Dr. Adeniran insisted that the Oyo State government, from inception, was committed to increasing budget allocations to improve basic education, adding that this has also yielded in USAID providing technical assistance and support to the state.
He promised that the state government would reach its goal of improved education for children and more effective and efficient management of the entire education system.
Speaking earlier, the leader of USAID delegation, Lawal, said that the agency is committed to ridding African nations of out-of-school-children, and ensuring they access education.
He noted that the importance of the mother-tongue cannot be overemphasised, hence the mass production of ‘Je K’a Ka’we,’ which he noted will boost the literacy level of children and youths.
Lawal revealed that the success of ‘Let’s Read’ and ‘Mu Karanta’ in the Nothern part of Nigeria inspired the initiative for ‘Je K’a Ka’we’ for the South Western Nigeria and ‘Ka Anyi Guo’ for the South Eastern Nigeria.
He added that the development of ‘Je K’a Ka’we’ is premised on the language provisions in the National Policy on Education, that the mother-tongue of the immediate community should be the medium of instruction at the lower primary level of education.
The Chief of Party said that the initiative seeks to reach 1.6 million children in primary 1-3, along with more than 500,000 out-of-school-children and youth, attending some community learning centres.
He added, “The program will train and equip teachers and learning facilitators who can reach children in schools and non-formal learning centres.”
The books were developed by language experts with the support of local professionals from the board. It contains stories and pictures that promote positive social values, written in Yoruba language for Primary 1, 2 and 3.
The event was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Aminat Atere, directors from the ministry; representatives of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT; Association of Primary Schools Head Teachers of Nigeria; Reading Advisors from USAID, among other stakeholders.
