By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has delivered phase one of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to 92 Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs).
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made the announcement during the presentation of the facilities at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Prof. Tahir said the initiative is important for creating a conducive learning environment at the schools.
He said, “The introduction of these WASH facilities marks the beginning of a transformative journey for our schools, fostering an environment where learners can thrive.”
The minister noted that this initiative aligns with the government’s vision to upgrade basic and secondary education levels across the country.
Speaking at the event, the National Project Coordinator for the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Mrs. Amina Haruna, said the project has already shown positive results for both learners and community members.
She noted that 40 percent of the initial phase has been completed, with plans for the remainder to begin shortly.
Mrs. Haruna added, “The additional 60 percent of the project will focus on substantial infrastructural improvements, including classrooms, laboratories, multipurpose halls, kitchens, ICT centers, and the provision of essential learning materials and furniture.”
She added that the initiative aims to not only rebrand the FUCs but to also substantially improve enrollment and retention rates by enhancing the overall learning experience.
Out of the 115 unity colleges nationwide, AGILE is overseeing the implementation at 92, while other Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTC) are supported by the World Bank through the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project.