1 Game: Gombe community vow to embrace western education

Indigenes of Tudun Wada community in Gombe have promised to embrace western education and raise awareness on its benefits in order to promote literacy in the area.

As part of the Access Campaign on School Enrolment, introduced in Gombe State by the 1 GAME Campaign, leaders and volunteers in Tudun Wada community have been moving from house to house, to convince parents to send their children to western schools, a move that has seen many parents and guardians show interest.

A leader in the community known as Bashiru who has been ever present since the start of the campaign on Wednesday said more and more parents are getting convinced about western education and are beginning to act.

“We’ve moved from house to house and have spoken to many parents and guardians. We have told them that their children would be given free books and pens. We also told them that no kobo will be charged as education is free.

“So many of them have told us that their children will begin school on Monday when school resumes in Gombe. Some asked to see the books first before acting but we told them that the books will be distributed in school,” Bashiru explained.

A volunteer in the campaign, Mohammed Awwal said despite progress being made in many quarters, convincing almajiris (street children) to embrace western education was still a challenge.

“We are happy that parents are beginning to see the importance of western education. If every child here is in school, Gombe will be a better place.

“Our only concern is the almajiris. It is very difficult to convince them. Some of them have refused to tell us who their parents are. But we believe that as the campaign progresses we will deal with the situation,” Awwal concluded.

Tudun Wada community is one of the few areas in the capital city with a high number of almajiri children. School enrolment in the area is relatively low when compared with other communities in Gombe main town.

Agafi Kunduli, Project Development Coordinator, 1 GAME Campaign said efforts will not just be made on enrolment but also support for children in school.

“We know it is difficult for these parents to cater for their children even at home, that is why 1 GAME will provide children who enroll in this community with a book and a pen at least. We will make our 1 Book, 1 Pen programme very effective here,” Kunduli promised.

With efforts to enhance school enrolment gaining momentum, Director, School Services, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Gombe, Abubakar Mohammed said government will work to strengthen basic education in the State.

“Everyone in Gombe SUBEB is happy with this campaign. It is a move that will boost literacy in the State. On our part, we will work to strengthen basic education so that our children can have a more conducive environment to learn.”