By Rhoda Godwin
The National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) has intensified its drive to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Bayelsa State, with renewed calls for collective support from government, organisations and individuals.
On Tuesday, February 4, 2026, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the Commission, Mr. Karamo Daniel, visited the Imiringi Learning Centre in Ogbia Local Government Area, one of the two NCAOOSCE-supported centres currently operating in the state. The visit was aimed at assessing learning activities and motivating both learners and facilitators.
During the visit, Mr. Daniel presented awards to the top five learners at the centre in recognition of their outstanding academic performance, discipline and commitment to learning. The gesture, he said, was part of efforts to encourage excellence and boost the confidence of out-of-school children who have returned to the classroom through the Commission’s intervention.
Speaking at the event, the State Coordinator commended the facilitators at the Imiringi Learning Centre for their dedication and tireless efforts in delivering quality education to vulnerable children.
“What we are seeing here today is proof that with the right support, out-of-school children can thrive academically. The facilitators are doing remarkable work, and the performance of these learners shows that the programme is yielding positive results,” Daniel said.
He reiterated that the core mandate of NCAOOSCE is to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children by establishing more learning centres across local government areas, particularly in underserved communities.
According to him, achieving this goal requires strong collaboration, as he called on NGOs, civil society organisations, the Bayelsa State Government, development partners, community stakeholders and well-meaning individuals to join hands with the Commission.
“Education is a shared responsibility. We cannot do this alone. We need partners who believe in giving every child a chance, regardless of background,” he added.
Learners at the centre expressed excitement over the recognition, describing the awards as a motivation to work harder and pursue their education with renewed determination.
With the growing commitment of facilitators, the resilience of the learners and the sustained support of NCAOOSCE, stakeholders say Bayelsa State is gradually making progress in bridging the education gap and restoring hope to children who were once left behind.
