Critical stakeholders in education sector were delighted with the continued support, backing and intervention accorded by UNICEF in Adamawa State of the Bauchi Field Office.
In a field visitation by team of UNICEF officials and journalists to some schools in Jada and Guyuk Local Government Areas to observe the impact of training to curb the incidences of stigmatisation, non attendance of school, non adherence to hygiene during menstrual periods and other harmful practices, teachers and school children, expressed gratitude with the development.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD correspondent from the Bauchi Field Office who covered the visitation reports that the training for the stakeholders was funded by the Netherlands Director General for International Co-operation Accelerated Sanitation and Water for All programmes 11 ( DGIS _ ASWA 11 ) in conjunction with UNICEF.
The beneficiaries of the programme in Adamawa State, who were teachers, male and female school children were trained on the need to adhere to the best practices. The training centred more on personal hygiene of female school children relating to menstruation during school hours and at home.
” But with the intervention of UNICEF, stakeholders say they were now on same page and discussing the issue freely without any strings attached.”
The outcome, according to the stakeholders has become a win-win situation for the growth of education in the targeted points.
The stakeholders observed that ” Now young girls are making money as a result of the training from the new entrepreneurship opportunity owing to their abilities to manufacture reusable menstrual pads locally which is cheaper and can be reused for up to six months.”
During the one day field visit to Tsohon Tikke Primary School, one of the schools which benefited from the training by UNICEF, stakeholders confirmed to the visiting team of reporters how the intervention changed their world views about menstruation completely.
In an interview with Mallam Musa Umar, Head Teacher of the school, he noted that the contributions of the partners especially UNICEF can never be over emphasised. Adding that what used to be in the dark has been brought to the daylight courtesy of the training. It shed light on issues surrounding menstruation freely tabled in the open.
“In a conservative society such as ours, it was just hitherto seen as moral bankruptcy to talk about issues like that. In fact, when the issue was first muted to me, I shrank with excitement and fear because i could not see myself, a Fulani man discussing such issue with my students.
“But as it is now, the training has led to a seamless relationship between the parents, teachers and the students. And whenever any friction arises as a result of misconception, we usually address it in a friendly manner”, he said.
He observed that most of the issues around menstruation especially concerning new starters have been nipped in the bud because of the massive awareness. Both students, teachers and parents have built mutual trust on the subject.
He heartily commended UNICEF for equipping the school with a borehole, and modern toilet facilities for boys and girls, noting that the development has improved learning atmosphere in the school.
The Coordinator of WASH in Jada Local Government, Mr. Obadiah David, also appreciated and thanked UNICEF for reasons that no fewer than 60 children from the age of 13 to 17 across 20 schools in the area have been impacted and therefore urged other well meaning individuals and organisations to complement the good gesture of the international organisation that changed the life of our children for good.
Aisha Sulaiman, one of the beneficiaries told THE NIGERIA STANDARD that the knowledge impacted on them will go a long way in changing the narrative without fear of any repercussions.
She said making the local pads has solved the challenges of skipping classes due to menstrual flow as well as monetary pressure of having to buy the pads which go at an extortionate price.
