The Adamawa State Government has unveiled new guidelines aimed at helping married adolescents, teenage mothers and other vulnerable young women return to school and complete their education.
The Adamawa Re-Entry Guidelines were unveiled by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, at an event held at Fombina Royal Hotel in Yola.
The initiative, launched by the state Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development with support from ACE Charity and the Malala Fund, is designed to remove barriers that prevent adolescent girls from continuing their education after marriage, pregnancy or childbirth.
Speaking at the event, Pella described the guidelines as a major milestone in the state’s efforts to promote education and empower women and girls, stressing that the policy reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.
He urged husbands and families to support young women who wish to return to school, while encouraging adolescent girls and young mothers to take advantage of the opportunity created by the new policy.
According to the commissioner, adolescent girls remain among the most vulnerable groups in society, with many forced to discontinue their education because of early marriage, teenage pregnancy and socio-economic challenges.
He emphasised that education remains a critical tool for survival, empowerment and economic independence, while commending ACE Charity for championing the initiative.
Earlier, the Senior Programme Officer of ACE Charity, Dr. Hassana Shuaibu, said the organisation remained committed to empowering children, young people and women through access to quality education and economic opportunities.
Shuaibu said ACE Charity’s vision was to see Africans educated beyond the basic level and equipped to achieve meaningful economic inclusion.
She expressed optimism that the guidelines would enable many girls to return to school and pursue their aspirations, provided they were effectively implemented by the state government, schools and other education stakeholders.
Providing an overview of the guidelines, Anguma Patience Nkiruka of the Federal Ministry of Education said the policy covers both in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls who are married, pregnant, divorced, widowed or are teenage mothers.
She said the guidelines were developed to promote the re-entry, retention and completion of education among affected girls, while also strengthening the capacity of school administrators to effectively manage cases involving pregnancy, childbirth and students seeking to return to school.
The event brought together key education stakeholders, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, adolescent girls and young mothers, reflecting broad support for policies aimed at keeping vulnerable girls within the education system.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Acting Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr. Birsan Penuel, representatives of the Malala Fund and Mr. Stephen Medugu on behalf of non-governmental organisations.
A panel discussion, titled “Translating Policy into Action,” also formed part of the programme, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to examine practical measures for implementing the guidelines and ensuring that eligible girls can successfully return to school.
The event culminated in the official unveiling, signing and handover of the Adamawa Re-Entry Guidelines by Commissioner Pella, marking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive education system in the state.
