By
Jamilu Abubakar
The Gombe State Government says it is targeting 200,000 out-of-school children for enrolment between 2026 and 2027, while introducing digital literacy programmes to make learning more attractive and relevant to children.
The Chairman of the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Hassan Bello, disclosed this while speaking on the state’s collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on digital literacy and improved learning outcomes.
Bello said the state had, in collaboration with UNICEF, established 10 digital literacy centres across different Local Government Areas, with more than 1,000 learners targeted for training in computer appreciation and robotics skills.
He said the initiative was part of efforts to “catch children young” and expose them to digital skills that would prepare them for the future.
According to him, the availability of computers and other digital learning opportunities in schools could encourage out-of-school children to return to the classroom.
Bello said the state government would expand the number of digital literacy centres to accommodate more learners and increase access to technology-based education.
He commended UNICEF for its support and collaboration, saying the partnership had contributed to improving learning outcomes among pupils and students in the state.
The UNICEF Education Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, Abdulrahman Ado, said the initiative was introduced under the “Catch Them Young” approach to bridge learning gaps during school holidays.
Ado said many children were left without structured learning activities when schools closed, making the digital literacy programme an opportunity to keep them engaged while developing their skills.
He said UNICEF had identified facilitators in schools and provided them with extensive training to enable them to train learners in computer appreciation and robotics.
Ado explained that digital literacy was particularly important as examinations were increasingly becoming computer-based.
He said UNICEF was also supporting Gombe State in artificial intelligence, stressing that children needed basic digital knowledge to take advantage of emerging technologies.
Ado added that digital literacy had been embedded into the school curriculum and that training would continue during every summer holiday.
He said the 10 centres could be expanded in the future to accommodate more learners across the state.
Professor Bello further commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for supporting SUBEB through the provision of learning materials, infrastructure and a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
He said combining efforts to bring children back to school with access to digital skills would strengthen basic education and better prepare children for future technological advancement.
