The Gombe State government has launched a scholarship scheme to help keep girls in school.
The World Bank-backed initiative will support over 12,000 underprivileged girls with funds for education.
The Gombe State government has introduced a new scholarship initiative aimed at keeping girls in school and reducing the number of out-of-school children across the state.
The scheme, launched under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), is a World Bank-assisted program targeting 12,100 underprivileged girls in the state’s 11 local government areas.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, the state AGILE coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna Abdul, said the scholarship focuses on pupils in Primary 6 and JSS 3, stages where many girls often drop out due to financial difficulties.
According to her, each beneficiary will receive N60,000 to aid their transition to JSS 1 or SS 1, covering costs such as registration, uniforms, and learning materials. In addition, they will get N10,000 per term to support their studies.
She explained that beneficiaries were selected through a community-based poverty ranking system to ensure fairness and transparency. “The goal is to help these girls continue their education and empower them for a better future,” Abdul said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his deputy, Manasseh Jatau, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to tackling the problem of out-of-school children. He said the scholarship will help girls enroll, stay in school, and complete their education.
He also urged parents to encourage their daughters to embrace learning and take advantage of the opportunity provided by the government.
