Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria — In the wake of the recent mass abduction of female students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, a new initiative is emerging to ensure the girls’ education does not become another casualty of insecurity.
Following the safe rescue of the students, the non-profit educational support group, EduReach, has announced a bespoke program offering free online primary and secondary classes to the victims.
The Trauma and the Need for Continuity
The abduction, which occurred on November 17, 2025, tragically involved the death of a school staff member and the kidnapping of 25 students.
While the girls have since been rescued—an outcome that brought immense relief nationwide—the psychological and academic toll of the trauma is significant.
Educators and human rights advocates have long stressed that prolonged absence from school severely hinders a child’s development, especially after experiencing a traumatic event.
The fear and instability often make a swift return to a physical school environment challenging.
A Safe, Flexible Learning Pathway
The EduReach program, titled “Project Resilience,” is designed to address these unique challenges:
- Virtual Classroom: Classes will be conducted entirely online, allowing students to learn from a safe, non-school environment, such as their homes or designated support centres.
- Primary and Secondary Curricula: The program covers core subjects across both primary and secondary levels, ensuring the rescued students do not fall behind their peers.
- Psychosocial Integration: The online learning structure is integrated with counseling and psychosocial support. Teachers are being specially trained to handle students recovering from trauma, creating a supportive and flexible learning pace.
- Focus on Girls’ Education: By providing resources specifically to the girls, the initiative aims to push back against the threat that these mass abductions pose to girl-child education in northern Nigeria.
“The abductors took their freedom, but we must ensure they cannot steal their future,” stated a spokesperson for EduReach. “Project Resilience is not just about teaching subjects; it’s about restoring normalcy, stability, and hope through the familiar structure of learning.”
Call to Action: Support the Safe School Initiative
The Kebbi incident, alongside a massive subsequent abduction in Niger State, has renewed national focus on the urgent need to protect Nigerian schools.
Organisations like Plan International and Save the Children have called for the immediate and full implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools.
While security agencies continue their work, civil society initiatives like EduReach provide a vital layer of support, ensuring that the right to quality education, enshrined in the Nigerian Child Rights Act, remains accessible even during times of crisis.
- To support EduReach’s Project Resilience or to volunteer, visit their official website.
- Authorities have confirmed the rescued students are currently undergoing necessary debriefing and medical checks before being reunited with their families.
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