The Commissioner of Education, Prof Abubakar Sani Sambo, has advised northern states to follow Governor Uba Sani’s example, by executing legacy projects through strategic investments in the education sector.
Prof Sambo explained that the Governor’s investment in the education sector aims to expand access, improve infrastructure, strengthen teachers and reduce financial barriers.
Emeritus Professor Sambo gave the advice at the combined convocation lecture of Saádu Zungur University, Bauchi state, on the topic ‘’Education, Security And Sustainable Development: The Role of Universities In Northern Nigeria.’’
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, quoted Prof Sambo as saying that Kaduna State Government has ‘’returned more than 300,000 out-of-school children to the classrooms.’’
The Commissioner further said that the Governor has ‘’implemented inclusive education policies for girls, children with disabilities and conflict affected learners.’’
According to him, the Governor has ‘’constructed more than 60 secondary schools across Kaduna State’’, adding that ‘’he has also built more than 2,300 primary school classrooms and renovated hundreds of existing facilities.
‘’Kaduna State Government has also trained more than 33,000 teachers and education officers to strengthen pedagogy and school management. The percentage of students that passed Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination(SSCE) with five credits has increased from about 54% to about 67%,’’ he added.
The Commissioner disclosed that Governor Uba Sani has also ‘’expanded technical and vocational education and skills acquisition centres, to produce 12,000 artisans annually, by establishing the Kaduna State Institute of Vocation Training and Skills Development(KIVTSD).’’
He pointed out that the Skills centres are located in Soba town, Rigachikun and Samarun Kataf towns, in zones 1, 2 and 3 senatorial districts respectively.
Some of the skills that are being taught include welding, aluminium fabrication, fashion design and solar panels installation and the artisans will also be issued certificates after completing their respective programmes.