Niger State Government has earmarked N300 billion in revamping the educational sector in the state to meet up with global best practices.
Governor Umaru Bago disclosed this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the revitalisation of basic education infrastructure in Niger State with Marafa basic school as a pilot scheme.
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Bago said arrangements have been concluded to expand schools and renovate them with 100 billion naira this year with an additional 100 billion to be provided for remodelling and upgrading of schools to mega schools.
The Governor also disclosed that the state government in line with its inclusive quality education for all is committing N5 billion to expand and upgrade 25 existing nomadic schools and intervention for Qur’anic and Tsangaya schools while provision of N5billion is also set aside for children with special needs for the next five years.
He described education as a fundamental human right as such every child deserves to have education as the state has made education free and compulsory at the basic level. He also disclosed that the government is providing one million computers and tablets for learning across all public schools in the state for the children to be in tandem with current global practices
He said the ‘New Niger Agenda’ is determined to provide succour to Niger residents at all levels and appreciated the universal basic education board for their collaboration and continued support of basic education.
Governor Bago also said the state through its agro initiative has put a levy of 5% for all agro produced by the state for education with an estimate of N200 billion to be accrued from that.
The Executive Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Baba Ibrahim commended Governor Umaru Bago for his remarkable strides in the education sector through his New Niger Agenda and disclosed that the Marafa basic school when revamped will have 128 classrooms, 110 will be teaching and learning classes, 5 e- libraries, 2 basic science laboratories, 2 basic technology laboratories, 2 entrepreneurship clubs, 2 home economics centres and 2 resource centres for children with special needs with one resource centre for teachers while 104 schools will be upscaled and standardised
The Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr Asabe Hadiza Mohammed acknowledged the vision of the Governor towards the education sector saying, the revitalisation of the basic schools will openthe way for a robust educational system where children will be taught in a convenient environment to prepare the children for the future
She said the inclusive education concept of the farmer governor is bringing along girls, children with disabilities and girls in rural communities ensuring that no child is left behind.
The Deputy Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Afiniki Dauda and the Coordinator, Universal Basic Education Board, North Central in their separate remarks commended the developmental strides of the farmer Governor and assured him of their continued support.
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