The Zamfara State Government has pledged stronger support for girls’ education as it rolls out the second phase of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) scheme.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Malam Wadato Madawaki, disclosed this during a monitoring visit to Government Girls Day Secondary School and Government Girls Arabic Secondary School in Tudun Wada, Gusau.
He said the initiative aims to reduce school dropouts among adolescent girls and encourage academic excellence by providing financial support to female students, particularly those transitioning from Junior Secondary School (JSS3) to Senior Secondary School (SS1).
“We want our girls to study up to tertiary level, become gainfully employed, and contribute meaningfully to society,” Madawaki said.
The commissioner noted that funds would be disbursed directly to mothers of beneficiaries once schools resume from the long vacation.
Madawaki issued a stern warning to school principals against any diversion of funds, stressing that the programme is part of Governor Dauda Lawal’s educational transformation agenda.
Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdu Gusau, the State AGILE Coordinator, confirmed that registration for the second phase was underway for SS1 students and Primary Six pupils from nearby schools.
She expressed optimism that lessons learned from the first phase would ensure a smoother process this time.
The monitoring team included top education officials and AGILE representatives, who pledged transparency and accountability in the programme’s implementation.
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