Non-Formal Learning Centers (NFLC) support (NEI PLUS / USAID)

From 2017 to 2020, JCDI implemented a large-scale education project under the NEI PLUS / USAID program to address the educational needs of children and adolescents who were excluded from formal schooling. The project established and supported 30 Non-Formal Learning Centers (NFLCs) in Sokoto South LGA, targeting children aged 8–12 years, adolescent girls, and other out-of-school youth.

The intervention focused on training facilitators who would deliver literacy, numeracy, and life skills education in safe and supportive environments. JCDI trained and mentored these facilitators, ensuring that they not only taught academic content but also promoted child protection, gender equality, and inclusive learning. Regular monitoring visits were conducted to maintain quality across all 30 centers.

To enhance learning outcomes and community involvement, the project also introduced innovative activities such as reading competitions, quiz events, and livelihood skill training for adolescent girls. Parents and caregivers were engaged through community meetings and parenting education sessions, encouraging them to support children’s education.

The NFLC project demonstrated that non-formal education can be a powerful tool for reaching children who would otherwise be denied the chance to learn. It strengthened local capacities, improved literacy rates, and opened up new possibilities for hundreds of children and young people in Sokoto State.