The Kaduna State government is partnering with Google to train 5,000 women and girls in data science, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurial applications of digital technologies.
Hajiya Rabi Salisu, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, stated this on Saturday at a Roundtable on ‘Mainstreaming Girl Child Education in Kaduna state, Challenges and Policy Recommendations for Families and Government’ organised by Kukah Centre in partnership with HJDP Church and Society.
Hajiya Salisu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Dorcas Tanko, said the training was to promote digital inclusion and enable women and girls in the state to leverage technology for economic development and to improve the lots of the girl child.
“An educated girl can only grow through literate a mother who has a greater chance of breaking the circle of social vices by passing on good and sound knowledge to her daughters and children. Learning helps the girl child to break the shackles of exclusion and to avert the challenges of illiteracy and poverty. By providing the girl child with education they become relevant to the nation and its development.”
Salisu added, “The state government has invested in schools and teachers to give our children, especially the girls, decent education in line with World Bank practices with intervention such as 12 years free education from primary to completing secondary school”.
Earlier, Mr Methodius Karfe, the Programme Officer, Kukah Center Kaduna, said the aim of the roundtable was to mainstream girl child education and create a community where people can live without exclusion, particularly the girl child. “It is also to educate parents on the importance of girl child education.”
In her remarks, Dr Josephine Alex-Abedo of Mehan Global Initiative said there was a need to uplift girl child education to overcome the challenge of the high rate of girls out of school.
“We have a lot to do there,” he said and urged parents always to monitor their children and encourage them to pursue their education.
The Head of Education, at Hope for the Village Child Foundation, Mrs Ruth Barrera, said security challenges around the country were a major challenge to girl child education.
Barrera said gender-based violence also prevents the girl child from getting access to educational opportunities.
She said religious and traditional leaders also have a critical role in encouraging girl child education in their communities.
