In a decisive move to address the longstanding educational challenges plaguing Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has officially declared a state of emergency in the education sector.
The governor made this announcement during a state broadcast on Tuesday, citing the critical need for comprehensive reform in the state’s education system.
Governor Lawal, in his address to the people of Zamfara, expressed his deep concern about the deplorable state of education in the state, which affects all levels of the system, from primary to tertiary institutions.
The governor highlighted the dire conditions of learning environments and the shortage of qualified personnel, underlining the urgency of addressing these issues for the benefit of Zamfara’s future generations.
The declaration of a State of Emergency on Education aligns with Governor Lawal’s campaign promises to the people of Zamfara. The governor’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector, which has suffered a virtual collapse, is now being translated into concrete actions.
Spokesperson for the Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, issued a statement emphasizing the government’s determination to overhaul the education sector and outlined the immediate steps being taken:
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- School Construction and Renovation: The government has initiated the construction and renovation of 245 schools across the 14 local government areas of the state. These efforts aim to provide improved learning environments for students.
- Provision of Desks: To enhance students’ comfort and focus, 9,542 two-seater desks are being distributed across schools in all 14 local government areas.
- Teacher Support: A total of 619 tables and 926 chairs are being provided for teachers in the newly constructed and renovated schools. Additionally, all teachers and education managers will receive subject-specific training and retraining to enhance their capacity.
- Quality Assurance: In a bid to maintain a minimum level of quality in education delivery, the government has temporarily suspended the licenses of private education providers in the state, ensuring they meet the required standards for providing quality education.
- Scholarship and Exam Fee Support: To promote access to quality education, the government has approved the sponsorship of 50% of Zamfara indigenes admitted into Federal Government Girls College Gusau for the 2023-2024 academic sessions.
- Furthermore, the state government has paid the National Examination Council (NECO) fees for all Zamfara public school candidates who sat for the 2023 exams. Certificates for the candidates who sat for the 2019 NECO examinations have been collected and distributed to the students. The results of the NECO exams taken in 2020, 2021, and 2022 will be released to students before the end of this month, following previous withholding by NECO due to non-payment by the previous administration.
Support for International Students: Governor Lawal has paid the tuition fees and allowances of students on scholarship in various countries, including Sudan, Cyprus, and India, ensuring they can continue their studies without interruption due to debts incurred by the previous government.
In closing, Governor Dauda Lawal reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to changing the narrative of constant underperformance in Zamfara State. He stated, “Zamfara will thrive across all sectors. This is just the beginning of our rescue mission.”
With these bold initiatives and the declaration of a state of emergency on education, the governor aims to chart a brighter future for the state’s educational system, setting the stage for progress and prosperity in Zamfara.
