By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE), on Friday signed a commitment with some journalists in Kaduna to advocate for improved budgetary allocation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), for girls with special needs in Kaduna State.
The partnership according to the Deputy Director, CGE, Victoria Bello during a media roundtable with journalists and persons with disabilities, will boost the advocacy for an improved budgetary allocation that will engender a new beginning for girls with special needs in the state.
She said the success of the project is depended on how the media is able to drive the advocacy by making government understand the importance of the STEM for girls with special needs.
Mrs. Bello appealed to the media not to relent in their efforts at bringing change to the education sector, especially in the interest of girls with special needs.
The Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE), is focused on empowering adolescent girls in Northern Nigerian States and Southern Niger Republic by designing programmes to improve access to and quality of schooling for rural and low-income urban girls.
The centre works to advance adolescent girls’ education and empowerment in northern Nigeria through innovative programming, advocacy, applied research, and strategic partnerships.
On her part, Barr. Jennifer Agbaji, a Rise up Fellow, who was a resource person at the meeting, noted that the budget would enable the girls acquire skills that will make them employable and independent for life.
She said it will also bridge the gap of accessibility that exists between the disabilities and the able bodied people in the state.
According to her, a budget line or a sub- head could be created for equiping the Information and Communication (ICT) Centres and Laboratory to make the learning environment suitable for the girls.
“Girls with disabilities need to be part of the workforce that STEM course alone can make possible to shrink the gap and reduce inequalities”, Barr. Agbaji, added.
