Activity 4.2.2: Reaching Out-of-School Children, A Data - Driven, Safety-First Approach
This flagship activity sits squarely under Component 4 › Sub‑Component 4.2 (Strengthening Data Systems) of the ROOSC Project Appraisal Document. It builds on two landmark Kaduna State initiatives launched on July 23, 2025: the Kaduna State Safety, Security, and Violence‑Free Schools (KSSVFS) policy and the 2024/2025 Annual School Census (ASC)—both now core pillars of a safer, more responsive education system.
From Policy to Action: Real-Time Safety Infused with ASC Insights
- Geo‑referenced ASC data, now publicly available in digital form, maps school and community clusters by enrolment, infrastructure, and equity gaps. This rich dataset is the baseline for identifying, targeting, and tracking out‑of‑school children.
- The KSSVFS policy, Nigeria’s first domesticated safe‑schools guideline, mandates school safety committees, incident reporting protocols, and regular security audits, making safety non-negotiable in every planning decision.
Training‑of‑Trainers: Safety & Data Focal Persons on the Ground
A cohort of 50 master trainers—carried over 3 phases—comprises head teachers, SUBEB staff, civil society and community leaders. Equipped with ASC data and safety toolkits, they now function as Safety & Data Focal Persons in every LGA. Save the Children’s Deputy Director noted: “If we work together, we can ensure perpetrators are prosecuted and children are protected.”
Mapping, Dashboards & Outreach
- Quarterly LGA‑level dashboards now visualize enrolment trends, absenteeism, pupil returns, gender parity, and safety incidents—turning raw data into quarterly review metrics.
- Using ASC maps overlaid with violence or insecurity data, ROOSC outreach teams prioritize zones with declining attendance or conflict‑related exclusions.
- In July 2025, dashboards launched at SUBEB HQ and 10 LGAs, enabling timely decision‑making and resource reallocation.
Early Results & Scaling Up
- In its first 12 months, the initiative targeted a return of 200,000–300,000 out‑of‑school children, prioritizing girls and children with disabilities.
- Every outreach plan now originates from safety‑adjusted ASC maps, ensuring precision targeting.
- Over 5,000 school safety committees have been activated, aligned with KSSVFS guidelines.