Adamawa to establish 32 new secondary schools through education expansion initiative

Adamawa State is set to establish 32 new secondary schools as part of an education expansion initiative aimed at increasing access to quality schooling. The new schools will include 16 junior and 16 senior secondary schools, distributed across the state’s 21 local government areas.

The program, implemented by the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Additional Financing Project (AGILE-AF) in partnership with the Adamawa State Government and funded by the World Bank, focuses on reducing the number of out-of-school children, particularly girls.

At a recent media briefing, AGILE-AF’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Bathon Ati, stated that in addition to constructing new schools, AGILE-AF would renovate 1,055 existing secondary schools and 14 non-formal education centers, providing essential facilities to improve accessibility and learning conditions.

The program also includes support for impoverished families, helping them meet basic needs so girls can remain in school.

“We are addressing the challenges, including poverty and cultural beliefs, that make girls drop out of school, so that they can have a second chance to return to school,” Ati said.

Adamawa’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Umar Garba, affirmed the state’s commitment to this initiative, noting that Adamawa had already paid the counterpart funds required by the World Bank.

He emphasized that no girl should have to abandon her education permanently due to poverty, early marriage, or unplanned pregnancy without an opportunity to return.