Concerned about the situation of education in Zamfara situation, Governor Dauda Lawal announced a state of emergency in the North-Western state on Tuesday.
In a broadcast to the people of Zamfara, the governor stated that the state’s neglected education system affected all levels, from primary to postsecondary institutions, with poor learning conditions and personnel.
This was revealed in a statement by the governor’s spokeswoman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, who emphasized that the proclamation of a state of emergency on education was in keeping with Governor Lawal’s campaign promises.
He stated that the state government was following through on a vow to restructure the education sector, which had nearly collapsed.
“In a state broadcast today, Governor Dauda Lawal declared a state of emergency in the education sector across Zamfara,” the statement read.
“This is in line with his campaign manifesto, in which he made promises to the people of Zamfara to implement policies and programmes aimed at reforming the education sector, building and rehabilitating public schools, providing adequate educational facilities, and training/retraining the existing staff to enhance their capacity.
“As a result, the Dauda Lawal administration has commenced the following emergency response: construction and renovation of 245 schools across the 14 local government areas of the State; provision of two-seater desks for pupils and students, totalling 9,542 across schools in the 14 local government areas; equipping the constructed and renovated 245 schools with 619 tables and 926 chairs for teachers across the 14 local government areas.
“Furthermore, in pursuit of quality education, my government has approved sponsoring 50% of Zamfara indigenes admitted into Federal Government Girls College Gusau for the 2023-2024 academic sessions.”
He explained that the state government paid the National Examination Council (NECO) fees for all Zamfara public school candidates who sat for the 2023 exams, adding that certificates for the candidates who sat for the 2019 NECO examinations had been collected and distributed to the students.
According to him, the results of the NECO exams taken in 2020, 2021, and 2022 will be released to students before the end of November.
(Credit: Channel TV)