Kaduna lawmaker distributes education uniforms to tackle out-of-school children

A member of the Kaduna state House of Assembly representing Zaria City Constituency, Hon. Mahmud Lawal Ismaila, has distributed 382 school uniforms to children as part of efforts to address the challenge of out-of-school children and improve access to education in the constituency.

Ismaila, who is the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Education, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, explaining that the distribution was part of a planned intervention targeting 500 beneficiaries.

The lawmaker said the initiative was aimed at supporting children who face barriers to accessing education, adding that the provision of school uniforms would be followed by the distribution of school bags, books, shoes and other essential learning materials. Blueprint reports

He also disclosed plans to facilitate the placement of the beneficiaries in schools close to their respective communities to encourage regular attendance and sustained participation in classroom activities.

The intervention is intended to complement broader efforts to improve school enrolment and reduce the number of children who remain outside the formal education system in Kaduna State.

Ismaila said the project reflected his commitment to ensuring that children in Zaria City Constituency had access to education and the opportunity to build a better future, regardless of their circumstances.

382 uniforms distributed as first phase

The lawmaker said 382 school uniforms had been distributed out of the 500 planned for beneficiaries, indicating that the intervention was progressing towards its target.

The distribution represents the first phase of the project, which is designed to provide practical support to children who might otherwise struggle to meet some of the basic requirements for attending school.

For families facing financial difficulties, the cost of uniforms, footwear, school bags and learning materials can place additional pressure on household resources and make school attendance more difficult to sustain.

By providing these items, the intervention seeks to ease some of the financial demands associated with sending children to school and encourage parents and guardians to support their children’s education.

However, the lawmaker’s plan extends beyond the distribution of uniforms, with additional educational materials and school placement arrangements expected to form part of the next phase.

The target of 500 beneficiaries means that 118 uniforms remain to be distributed to meet the stated target. The lawmaker did not provide a specific date for completing the distribution.

The initiative is expected to reach more children as the remaining uniforms and other planned materials are provided.

School bags, books, shoes planned for next phase

Ismaila said the next phase would involve the distribution of school bags, books, shoes and other essential learning materials to the beneficiaries.

The planned support is intended to address some of the basic needs children require to participate effectively in classroom activities.

While uniforms help children meet school dress requirements, access to books and other learning materials is equally important to their participation in lessons, completion of assignments and overall learning experience.

School bags and footwear can also help children transport their materials and attend classes with greater comfort and dignity.

The inclusion of these items suggests that the intervention is designed to provide a broader package of educational assistance rather than limiting support to clothing alone.

For children from economically disadvantaged households, such assistance can reduce some of the immediate costs associated with schooling. Nevertheless, sustained enrolment and attendance may also depend on other factors, including household income, the availability of nearby schools, the quality of teaching and the ability of parents to meet other educational expenses.

The lawmaker did not disclose the total cost of the intervention, the funding arrangements or the criteria used to select the 500 beneficiaries.

He, however, expressed hope that the project would make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and contribute to the wider objective of expanding educational opportunities in the constituency.

Lawmaker plans school placement close to communities

Beyond the provision of uniforms and learning materials, Ismaila said arrangements would be made to facilitate the placement of the beneficiaries in schools close to their respective communities.

The plan is intended to encourage regular school attendance and sustained participation in learning by reducing the practical difficulties children may face in accessing educational facilities.

Distance to school can be a significant challenge for some families, particularly where children must travel long distances or where transportation costs add to the financial burden of education.

Placing beneficiaries in schools close to their communities could make attendance more manageable for parents and guardians while helping children maintain a more consistent learning routine.

The proposed placement arrangements also recognise that providing school materials alone may not be sufficient to ensure that out-of-school children return to the classroom and remain there.

Enrolment, attendance and retention are important components of efforts to address the problem. Children who return to school need continued support to remain enrolled and participate meaningfully in their education.

However, the lawmaker did not specify the number of schools expected to participate in the initiative or whether arrangements had already been concluded with school authorities.

The success of this aspect of the programme will depend on the implementation of the placement plan and the ability of the beneficiaries to sustain their attendance after enrolment.

Initiative aligns with Kaduna government’s education priorities

Ismaila attributed the inspiration behind the intervention to the educational vision of Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, whose administration he said had continued to prioritise education and efforts to address the challenge of out-of-school children.

The lawmaker said the initiative was intended to contribute to the state’s efforts by extending educational support to children in communities within Zaria City Constituency.

Kaduna state, like several other states in northern Nigeria, faces the challenge of ensuring that children of school age enrol in school, attend regularly and complete their education.

Addressing the problem requires interventions that respond to the different circumstances keeping children out of classrooms, including financial constraints, geographical barriers and other challenges affecting access to education.

Government policies and programmes can provide a framework for improving access, but interventions by elected representatives, community organisations, parents and other stakeholders can also contribute to efforts to reach vulnerable children.

Ismaila said he remained committed to contributing his quota towards sustaining progress in the education sector, beginning with communities in his constituency.

His position as Chairman of the House Committee on Education also places education among the areas of public responsibility in which he has legislative oversight duties.

The uniform distribution, however, is a constituency-level intervention, and the lawmaker did not provide comparative figures showing its contribution to the overall number of out-of-school children in Kaduna State.

Sustaining enrolment and keeping children in school

The intervention comes amid continuing concerns about children who are unable to access or remain within the formal education system.

Returning out-of-school children to classrooms is an important first step, but sustaining their participation requires attention to the circumstances that may cause them to drop out again.

Beyond uniforms and learning materials, families may need support to meet other education-related expenses, while schools must have adequate facilities, teachers and learning resources to accommodate additional pupils.

Community engagement is also important in encouraging parents and guardians to enrol their children and ensure that they attend classes consistently.

The proposed placement of beneficiaries in nearby schools could help address some access-related challenges, while the planned distribution of books, bags and shoes could ease the cost of preparing children for school.

Monitoring attendance and following up with beneficiaries would also help establish whether the intervention translates into sustained school participation.

Although Ismaila did not outline a monitoring framework or provide details of how the beneficiaries would be tracked, his stated commitment to facilitating school placement indicates that the project is intended to go beyond the initial distribution of uniforms.

The number of children who eventually enrol and remain in school will be an important measure of the initiative’s impact.

Ismaila seeks support to complete project

The lawmaker expressed optimism that the project would contribute to building a more educated and inclusive Zaria City Constituency.

He also prayed for the strength, resources and wisdom needed to complete the intervention and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the beneficiaries.

He reaffirmed his belief that every child deserved an opportunity to obtain an education and should not be left behind because of circumstances beyond their control.

With 382 of the planned 500 uniforms distributed, the next phase will focus on completing the uniform distribution, providing additional learning materials and facilitating school placement for the beneficiaries.

The extent to which the initiative achieves its objectives will ultimately depend on the completion of these activities and the ability of the children to gain admission, attend classes regularly and continue their education.

For Zaria City Constituency, the project represents a constituency-level effort to support children’s education through direct assistance to families and planned measures to encourage school attendance.

Ismaila said he remained committed to contributing to the development of a more prosperous, inclusive and educated constituency, expressing hope that the intervention would help give more children an opportunity to learn and build a brighter future.