UK funded education programme closes after reaching 2 million children

The Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) officially ended its education programme in Kaduna following seven years of operations.

The initiative, which received funding from the United Kingdom and was implemented by DAI, UNICEF, and Save the Children, focused on improving literacy and numeracy skills for children across northern Nigeria. The programme reached more than two million children and provided training for over 25,000 teachers since 2019.

Its work included developing education policies, strengthening data systems, and providing support for education in emergencies. In Kaduna, the programme distributed 737,000 learning materials and helped more than 25,000 out of school children return to learning. It also supported community based learning for over 76,000 learners, including children with disabilities and girls. Education commissioners from Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe pledged to maintain the reforms introduced during the programme.

British High Commissioner Pete Vowles stated that while the PLANE programme is closing, the UK's broader education partnership with Nigeria continues. The next phase of work depends on Nigerian institutions and governments integrating these successful interventions into public systems and securing sustained funding to maintain the progress made.