From being an out-of-school girl, to joining a PLANE-supported community learning hub, and to attending a regular school, Aisha’s story proves that even marginalized children can gain foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics through a mix of love for learning, self-motivation, perseverance, communal support, and state partnership—an outcome that the PLANE Programme is promoting in Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano states.

Barriers to Education in Northern Nigeria

In northern Nigeria, millions of children face severe barriers to accessing education. Poverty, cultural expectations, and inadequate school infrastructure often place formal learning out of reach. But for eleven-year-old Aisha from Hanwa community in Kaduna State, a distant dream of a formal education became reality through a small community learning space with a big vision.

This is her inspiring journey from household chores to classroom dreams—supported by community effort and the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) Programme.

Early Life: A Dream to Learn

Aisha can read, write and solve basic math problems, though not with the fluency expected of her age. She only recently learned these skills—having missed an early start—but she is catching up now.

For nearly ten years, Aisha stayed at home with her mother in Hanwa, a rural community in Sabon Gari LGA of Kaduna State.

“My mother is a housewife. She cooks and does house chores and I like to help her,” Aisha said.

She became proficient in house chores and took care of her siblings. Yet, something was missing.

“I had always wanted to attend school. I told my father… but he said he didn’t have money.”

Despite free and compulsory basic education in Nigeria, over 12.4 million children have never attended school.

—UNICEF, 2022

A Turning Point: Discovery of a Learning Hub

One Friday, a friend introduced her to a local dandali karatu —a community learning hub in Makera. Aisha was captivated.

“I joined the learners… I saw the teacher and I was impressed. So I stayed.”

These hubs are supported by PLANE, a UK-funded initiative working with state and local governments in Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa to provide foundational skills to underserved children.

Since 2021, over 200 learning hubs have been established under PLANE, offering both in-school and out-of-school children literacy and numeracy skills.

Small Steps, Big Change: The Power of Learning

“I asked the teacher if I could join, and she said yes. She later spoke with my father, and I was enrolled.”

Faiza Abdulmumin, the volunteer facilitator, helped mainstream Aisha and 500 other children into formal schooling over three years, with support from the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC).

“Thank God for PLANE… We enrolled over 500 children thanks to the hubs and SBMC’s efforts.” — Faiza Abdulmumin

Mainstreaming into Formal Education

“I liked the hub so much… I told my teacher I wanted to go to a regular school.”

With support from Faiza, SBMC, and her father’s approval, Aisha was enrolled into Hanwa Model Primary School, received uniforms, books, and PLANE-distributed learning materials.

Yunusa Aminu, SBMC Chairman, confirmed: “We gave our best towards developing teaching and learning in the school.”

A Family Transformed

“Now I’m in Primary 2… and I can read books. My siblings have also joined school.”

Faiza adds: “Now even skeptical parents approach me to enroll their kids. I remind them—if I wasn’t educated, would I be able to teach today?”

Aisha’s Big Dreams

“I want to become a lawyer and represent people so they can get justice. And when I become Governor, I will make sure everyone gets quality education.”

—Aisha

Changing Futures: The Lasting Impact of PLANE

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), PLANE has touched the lives of over 25,000 learners through its hubs. State governments are now leading efforts to expand the model and motivate facilitators with stipends, sustaining this vital transformation in education.

Aisha’s story is one of thousands—but each is a beacon of what’s possible when communities, government, and international partners come together for change.