The World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project is targeting 217 public secondary schools across Enugu State for infrastructure renovation and improved learning support.
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The initiative aims to create safer and more conducive learning environments, improve school enrolment and retention, and address challenges preventing adolescent girls from accessing and completing their secondary education.
The State Project Coordinator of AGILE in Enugu, Dr Ebele Georgina Chukwu-Onuora, disclosed that the intervention would focus on renovating existing school facilities, providing water and sanitation facilities, and distributing textbooks and other essential teaching materials.
According to her, the project team has visited the 217 selected schools to assess their individual needs and identify the facilities requiring rehabilitation. The assessments also included screening for potential environmental and social risks associated with the planned renovation work.
The initiative recognises that inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation and a shortage of learning materials can negatively affect students’ academic performance and attendance. Improved toilet facilities and access to clean water are particularly important for adolescent girls, as inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities can discourage regular school attendance.
Beyond infrastructure development, AGILE is working to address social and cultural barriers that prevent girls from enrolling in or completing secondary education. The programme includes community engagement, sensitisation and advocacy to encourage parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support girls’ education.
The project also promotes safer, more inclusive school environments through gender-based and safe-environment clubs. Participating schools have introduced suggestion boxes to enable students to report complaints and raise concerns, including cases of gender-based violence, through the project’s grievance redress mechanism.
Children living with disabilities are also being considered under the intervention, with three special schools in Enugu State included in the project’s plans to promote inclusive education.
The AGILE project is a government-led initiative supported by the World Bank to expand access to quality secondary education, strengthen learning outcomes and empower adolescent girls. Its intervention in Enugu is expected to benefit the wider student population by improving school facilities and access to essential educational resources.
The project team has called on parents, community leaders and education stakeholders to support the initiative by encouraging school enrolment, helping students remain in school and promoting equal educational opportunities for all children.
The intervention represents a significant effort to improve educational infrastructure in Enugu State while addressing the practical and social challenges that prevent students, particularly adolescent girls, from achieving their full academic potential.
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