From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has appraised the state government’s effort in implementing its policy on Compulsory, Free Basic and Secondary Education in the state, revealing that the state under his watch has spent over N7 billion to ensure that every child gain free access to education.
Ganduje insisted that the government has fulfilled its own obligation in ensuring quality basic education delivery.
According to him, Kano state, up to 2021, accessed its matching grant from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
He added that, as part of the state government’s responsibility of ensuring quality teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools, it committed over N7 billion in providing conducive learning environment.
He pointed out that, “tackling the challenges caused by out of school phenomenon is one of the driving force that made Kano State to come up with the Law on Free and Compulsory Basic and Secondary Education particularly on girls and vulnerable children with special needs, despite the high number of pupils and students enrolment in the country.”
The Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, stated this on Tuesday while declaring open the quarterly meeting of UBEC Management with the Executive Chairmen of SUBEB at the Africa House,Government House, Kano.
According to him, “the policy is geared towards addressing issues of access and pre-entry of adolescence girls to school in the State,” adding that the policy of implementing Free and Compulsory Basic Secondary Education came with huge financial commitment to the State and in that regard, the state government established Education Trust Fund to complement the financial commitment.
The Governor acknowledged the contribution of the Federal Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission and other key stakeholders for their support to Kano State towards achieving quality Education.
The Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu represented by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr.Hammid Bobboyi, emphasized that the Federal Government places high premium on education of the Nigerian child, assuring that it will continue to address all challenges of education in the country.
He, however, stated that the Federal Government came to the aid of State Governments through the World Bank supported Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) to address the out of school phenomenon.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of UBEC represented by Prof.Bala Zakari, explained that the quarterly meeting has helped UBEC and SUBEB to remain focused in their primary assignment of providing access to quality basic education for school age children in the country.
He also mentioned that the meeting provides the platform for regular discussion of issues concerning basic education implementation in the country.
He, however, hoped that the participants will use the meeting to offer suggestions on how to address the challenges of out of school children in the country.
