In its determination to boost nomadic education in the state, Gombe state government has expressed readiness to construct 90 additional nomadic schools to complement the existing ones, bringing the total to 180 spread across the state.
The expression was made by the Executive Chairman of Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Babaji Babadidi, in an interview with the Newsmen in Gombe on Thursday.
Babaji Babadudi further said that currently, there are 90 nomadic schools spread across the 11 local government areas of the state which he stressed are grossly inadequate considering the increasing number of nomadic children who are willing to go to school.
The SUBEB chairman said that “This time around, the 90 schools will be in form of the collapsible tent not like the previous ones so that the teacher can easily dismantle it and follow the pupils in case of migration”.
He added that “Gombe state’s population is increasing daily following the influx of people from the neighbouring states as a result of insurgents’ threat, hence, the need for additional nomadic schools. People are ignorant of nomadic education, some thought that it is only meant for pastoralists”.
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Babaji Babadidi further said that “Nomadic schools are not only meant for pastoralists only but for all immigrants who are coming into the state from different places due to one security problem or another”.
The SUBEB Chairman also said that 19 motorcycles have been procured for onward distribution to some of the teachers working in nomadic schools to ease their transportation problems which is militating against smooth running of the programme”.
He further said that the present APC led administration is committed to the welfare of teachers which would go a long way in improving the standard of education and promote effective teaching and learning activities.
“The promotion of primary school teachers in Gombe had been stagnant for 12 years and most of the teachers were demoralized. This contributed to the fallen standard of education in the state,” he lamented.
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