Lagos — Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB) is to collaborate with a non governmental-organization (NGO), Community Action for Popular Participation, (CAPP) in the training of teachers for the formation of social clubs for girls.

According to the Project Manager of CAPP, Ruth Audu, the effort is aimed at building confidence in girls to enable them express their opinions and advocate their collective and individual rights to education, food, homes, clothing, jobs and marital equity when they become women and or mothers and to instill in them the sense of purpose and discipline with regard to school rules as well as the norms and laws of the society.

Speaking at the opening of a workshop for selected teachers across the state recently at the Bauchi Teachers House, SUBEB Chairman, Abdullahi Dabo expressed the determination of his Board to encourage and collaborate with any NGO that is willing to be a partner in improving education particularly the girl-child education in the state.

Dabo said in 2009, his Board in collaboration with D Field Office of UNICEF, Bauchi sponsored 350 female students to the College of Education Azare just as another batch for the 2010 session would soon be begin studies, pointing out that emphasis is given to those in the rural areas so that on the completion of the their courses they will be posted to the rural schools.

While commending CAPP for its support in improving the standard of education in Bauchi State especially girl-child education, Dabo said that the steps so far taken by CAPP to strengthen existing School Base Management Committees (SBMC) and the training of teachers was most appropriate but reminded it to fulfill its promise of directing the committees in their focus.

Audu had earlier explained that the Transforming Education for Girls in Nigeria, (TEGIN) project was aimed at building ability of girls to understand themselves, their families, social circles and the general society and with a view to equipping them to better grapple with the challenges of this world.

She saud the strategy of TEGIN is to organize and encourage girls to collectively apply themselves actively through educative and entertaining art forms such as theatre for development, pep talks, class/school debates and quizzes, competitions in science, mathematics, reading, writing and current affairs through clubs which shall meet on regular basis to hold talks, conduct rehearsals and present recitations, mimes and enactments.

Audu said that TEGIN Girl Clubs in the selected schools across Bauchi State try to influence public opinion concerning girl education and gender equity while STD awareness and positive living ideals will be mainstreamed in club activities just as outreaches shall be through rallies, public presentations and most importantly through advocacy visits to education authorities and government house.