USAID provides 300,000 textbooks for teachers, pupils to boost education in Sokoto

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday, January 24 launched the distribution of 300,000 textbooks to help improve reading skills of children in nearly 900 schools in Sokoto State.
The books were jointly presented by Michael Harvey, USAID mission director, and Mohammed Kilgori, Sokoto State commissioner of education, in a ceremony held at Buhari Model Primary School in Tambuwal local government area of the state.
A statement from the US mission in Abuja quoted Harvey at the ceremony as saying “every child deserves quality basic education,” and that “the United States is proud to partner with the government of Sokoto to invest in the future of children who will grow to make a positive contribution in their communities.”
This distribution supports a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USAID and Sokoto state that was signed in 2016.
Through this agreement, the Sokoto State government committed to increasing budgetary allocations to improve basic education, while USAID will provide technical assistance and support to help the state reach its goal of improved education for children, as well as more effective and efficient management of the entire educational system.
“We remain committed to investing in the future of our children through education, and the US government is a worthy partner in this vision,” said Kilgori.
The books were developed by more than 100 local and international experts and contain stories and pictures that promote positive social values.
They are written in Hausa for what USAID calls “levels P1 and 2” and translated into English at “level P3.”
USAID says it is creating more opportunities for out-of-school-children in Nigeria to access education and boost the literacy level of more than two million children and youth through its Northern Education Initiative Plus project.
The five-year initiative seeks to reach 1.6 million children in grades P 1-3, along with more than 500,000 out-of-school-children and youth attending some 11,000 community learning centers.
The program will train and equip around 45,000 teachers and learning facilitators who can reach children in schools and non-formal learning centers.
USAID partners to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing security and prosperity.
In its partnership with Nigeria, the United States strengthens social stability through social services, supports transparent and accountable governance.
The multinational development non-profit organization also promotes a more market-led economy, and enhances Nigeria’s capacity as a responsible regional and trade partner.