Sokoto state government has made major gains in education – Commissioner

The Sokoto state government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has recorded significant progress in repositioning the education sector through extensive school renovations, recruitment of qualified teachers, improved teachers’ welfare, provision of teaching and learning materials, and the introduction of a students’ bus service within Sokoto metropolis and its surrounding communities.

The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the achievements of the Aliyu administration in the education sector.

The briefing took place at the auditorium of the Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’an and General Studies, Sokoto.

Professor Ala said the administration had implemented several measures to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and learning, and create a more conducive environment for students and teachers across the state.

He explained that the government had invested substantially in the construction, renovation and remodelling of schools, particularly through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). He added that the administration had also prioritised teachers’ welfare and the provision of learning materials to improve educational standards.

The commissioner noted that the government had ensured the prompt payment of examination fees for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) and National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). According to him, the initiative helps ease the financial burden on parents while encouraging school enrolment and retention.

Professor Ala further disclosed that the administration had established three mega schools under SUBEB, with one located in each of the state’s three senatorial districts.

He said the government had also established three Digital Almajiri Schools under the Arabic and Islamic Education Board in Kware, Dange-Shuni and Wamakko Local Government Areas.

He highlighted the establishment of the Sokoto All Girls Science Academy, an initiative designed to expand educational opportunities for girls, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.

As part of efforts to improve students’ welfare and access to education, the administration has introduced a students’ bus service within Sokoto metropolis and surrounding communities.

Professor Ala said the initiative was designed to ease transportation challenges faced by students, reduce the financial burden on parents and make commuting to and from school more convenient for learners.

The initiative is also expected to support school attendance and retention by helping students overcome some of the transportation difficulties that may affect their education. It further demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving students’ welfare and creating a more supportive learning environment.

On the use of technology in education, the commissioner said the ministry had commenced the digitalisation of the sector through comprehensive data collection covering teachers and students.

He explained that the initiative includes the development of a centralised dashboard through which relevant educational data can be accessed to support planning, monitoring and decision making.

Professor Ala also highlighted improvements in students’ welfare, disclosing that the administration had increased the daily feeding allowance from ₦140 to ₦420 per student.

He said the increase was aimed at improving students’ welfare and supporting a better learning environment.

The commissioner added that the government had recorded progress across the agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, noting that their respective initiatives had contributed to ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector.

Addressing concerns over the reopening of some boarding schools, Professor Ala said the state government was working closely with security agencies to put adequate security measures in place before students returned to their schools.

He assured parents and other stakeholders that the government remained committed to the safety and well being of students and would continue to work towards providing a secure learning environment.

The commissioner reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustaining its investments in education, strengthening existing programmes and implementing initiatives that would improve access to quality education for children across Sokoto State.

The briefing was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Sanusi Aliyu Binji; the Executive Chairman of the Teachers Service Board, Professor Mustafa Namakka Tukur; the Executive Secretary of the State Agency for Mass Education, Dr. Nura Bello Abubakar; the Executive Secretary of the Female Education Board, Shehu Aliyu; the Executive Secretary of the Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Ahmed Baba Altine; the State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Mansur Isa Buhari; the Sokoto State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Murtala Muhammad; the President of ANCOPSS, Bello Abubakar; and directors and other officials of the ministry.