The Links for Children OVC Project, a five-year project aimed at expanding access to care and support for 11,950 vulnerable children (VC) in three states of Nigeria (Kaduna, Bauchi, and Katsina) handed over renovated block of three classrooms School in Bauchi State in an effort to expand access to treatment services, care, and support for children and by complementing government’s effort in providing quality basic education service. Under the HSBC Transforming Girl Child Education in Nigeria, 1 block of three classrooms and another block of 2 classrooms were renovated in Yelwa Practicing School and Central Primary School in Mararraba Liman katagun and Anguwan Ngas community respectively.
A total of 250 3-seat desk for pupils and 20 tables and chairs for teachers were provided to the schools. Also presented to the school management was a set of play kits for safe space (See- Swing, Merry- go round and Slide photo) which is aimed at providing quality education, retention and completion of school for children enrolled. The renovated blocks of class rooms and furniture provided was officially handed over to State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) on the 7th of November 2013. The event had in attendance representative of the Education Secretary, Traditional and religious leaders, Child Protection Committee, Caregivers, school children and partners. The Deputy Programme Manager for the Project, Mr. Chris Ogar reiterated the need to encourage girl child education and called on caregivers to allow their daughters to be enrolled into schools.
Mrs Chiroma the principal, Yelwa Practicing School, appreciated the effort of Links for Children Project and called on SUBEB to look into the issue of under staffing so that the school will have ample staff on hand to provide qualitative learning to the children. An equipped structure without teachers will defeat the aim since the building cannot teach the pupils. The chairman of the school Board Management committee expressed his appreciation on behalf of SBMC over the quality of work done and pledges their support to ensure the maintenance of the class rooms for years to come. Mallam Umaru U. Bako Director Planning, Research and Statistics representing the Education Secretary SUBEB commended the effort and promised to convey all that he has seen and heard to the education Secretary and ensured that the government will complement this gesture. He called on other stakeholders to support in any way possible as the government alone cannot shoulder the entire responsibilities but is always willing to support organizations that have shown some level of commitment. 
The event was an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the Community, Links For Children (LFC) Project , Local Education Authority (LEA) and the school Management and will ensure retention and completion of school for all enrolled children under the project. The event paved way for the organizations involved to support the school, CSOs and community to identify advocacy issues with SUBEB for intervention.
