In a significant effort to address the educational challenges faced by children affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, UNICEF’s Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) initiative has successfully provided basic literacy and numeracy skills to approximately 285,000 orphaned children and vulnerable youngsters. Over the course of the past three years, this program has been instrumental in offering access to safe, inclusive, and high-quality education to those who need it most.
Supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office of the British government, the TaRL initiative aims to ensure that children, particularly girls, those with disabilities, and those impacted by conflict, receive quality learning opportunities. As part of its commitment to this cause, UNICEF recently organized a media tour of selected schools in Borno State to commemorate the International Day of Education.
Mustapha Shehu, the Education Officer at UNICEF’s Maiduguri Field Office, highlighted the comprehensive approach taken by the initiative to address the educational challenges arising from conflict. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity and quality learning for vulnerable children. Shehu further explained that the TaRL pedagogy, known for its learner-friendly nature, has proven effective in increasing enrollment, attendance, and retention rates among students.
Under the program, approximately 2,800 teachers in Maiduguri, Jere, and Konduga received specialized training in the TaRL teaching method. These teachers, operating in open spaces outside traditional classrooms, dedicated two hours each day to instructing approximately 50 pupils. The alternative learning environment facilitated accelerated learning and yielded positive results.
Ngari Bukar, the Head Teacher of Mohammed Aji Goni Laminu Primary School in the Jere Local Government Area, expressed gratitude for the initiative. He highlighted that more than half of the benefiting children were orphans who had lost their parents to the Boko Haram insurgents.
Through UNICEF’s tireless efforts and the support of the British government, the TaRL initiative has made significant strides in providing educational opportunities to vulnerable children in Borno State. By focusing on inclusivity and quality learning, this program continues to empower young minds and pave the way for a brighter future.