In a bid to improve adolescent well-being and school retention rates, the African Hub for Community Project Initiative in Nigeria (AfriHub) has called for the integration of sexual reproductive health education into the curriculum of both public and private schools in Bauchi State.
Speaking at a one-day conference in Bauchi, the organization’s founder, Saba’atu Danladi, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced teacher training and improved school facilities to support students, particularly girls. The event brought together government officials, civil society organizations, and key stakeholders to discuss the role of sex education and teacher development in shaping a healthier, more informed student population.
Danladi, whose organization is supported by Plan International and funded by Global Affairs Canada, highlighted the lack of gender-sensitive sanitary facilities in schools. She noted that many girls struggle with inadequate spaces to manage their menstrual hygiene, leading to discomfort, absenteeism, and, in some cases, school dropouts.
“In terms of hygiene, you hardly see gender-sensitive and friendly toilets or sanitary facilities in our schools,” she said.
She urged the Bauchi State government to provide disposal facilities for menstrual products and establish pad banks in schools to ensure that sanitary pads are readily available. According to her, this intervention would not only promote school attendance but also reduce truancy and dropout rates among girls.
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Beyond menstrual hygiene, Danladi stressed the importance of continuous teacher training to keep up with the evolving learning needs of adolescents. She noted that many students access information online before their teachers even introduce it in the classroom, making it crucial for educators to stay updated.
“Our adolescents are now more advanced than their parents and teachers. Before a teacher even opens a curriculum developed five years ago, students have already accessed the information online,” she explained.
She called on the state government to increase budget allocations for the training and retraining of teachers, ensuring they remain equipped to handle contemporary educational challenges.
In response, Yakubu Mudi, a representative from the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, acknowledged the government’s efforts to enhance girls’ education. He assured stakeholders that the state, through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, is committed to building more schools and providing improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
AfriHub’s advocacy aligns with broader global efforts to promote inclusive and equitable education, reinforcing the need for sustained government support in ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.
