99% of Married Adolescent Girls in Kano Want to Return to School — Study

A ret study conducted under a partnership involving the Kano State Government, ACE Charity and the Malala Fund has revealed that an overwhelming 99 per cent of married adolescent girls in the state are willing to return to school if given the opportunity.

The finding was unveiled on Tuesday during the launch of the Kano State Guidelines for the Re-entry to Education of Married Adolescents and Adolescent Mothers held in Kano.

Speaking at the event, Head of Office of ACE Charity, Mrs Eno Simon, and the organisation’s Grants and Partnership Officer, Mrs Rahina Oputu, described the new guidelines as a landmark policy aimed at ensuring that marriage does not permanently end a girl’s education.

According to them, the guidelines provide an evidence-based framework that will enable married adolescents and adolescent mothers to return to school, remain in the education system and successfully complete their studies.

The officials explained that the study identified several barriers preventing married girls from resuming their education, noting that many would require financial support, flexible learning arrangements and childcare services before they could effectively return to the classroom.

They stressed that the initiative is expected to strengthen inclusive education in Kano by providing a clear roadmap for government, schools, development partners and communities to support adolescent mothers and married girls seeking a second chance at education.

Simon and Oputu called on all stakeholders to support the implementation of the guidelines, expressing optimism that the policy would improve access to education, empower girls and contribute to the state’s long-term socio-economic development.