Kaduna Builds 600 Schools to Tackle Out-of-School Crisis
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, has revealed that at the basic education level under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), more than 600 classrooms have been constructed since the beginning of Senator Uba Sani’s administration, with several others undergoing renovation across the state. The commissioner stated that these efforts […]
FILE PHOTO: Dilapidated classroom blocks at Community Girls Secondary School (CGSS) Nembe, in Nembe local government area
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, has revealed that at the basic education level under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), more than 600 classrooms have been constructed since the beginning of Senator Uba Sani’s administration, with several others undergoing renovation across the state.
The commissioner stated that these efforts were part of the Uba Sani administration’s commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children by building more schools to expand access.
Speaking at the quarterly ministerial press briefing in the state, Professor Bello emphasized that the governor’s policies align with his campaign promises.
Prof. Bello highlighted that the administration has constructed more schools and additional classrooms while also improving the quality of both learners and teachers since assuming office.
“At the basic education level under SUBEB, more than 600 classrooms have been constructed since the beginning of this administration, and quite a number are being renovated. The era of students studying in an environment that is not conducive to learning has been averted,” he said.
According to him, 62 new secondary schools have been built under the AGILE project, with an additional 50 planned for construction before the administration’s second anniversary.
Professor Bello further disclosed that the six science secondary schools funded by the Islamic Development Bank are now fully operational.
“That project started 16 years ago but was stalled and abandoned. It is this administration that completed the schools, and more than 2,000 students have been enrolled in these pure science schools,” he recalled.
He argued that the policies of the present administration have resulted in improved learning outcomes, as reflected in students’ performances in national examinations conducted by WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.
Professor Bello revealed that the percentage of students who passed with five credits in these examinations before the current administration was 54%, but it has now increased to 67%.
The commissioner further noted that Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to education was evident in his first Executive Order, which reduced tuition fees in all state-owned tertiary institutions by 40%.
According to him, this reduction in school fees led to increased student enrollment at Kaduna State University (KASU), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and the College of Education, Gidan Waya.
“Before the arrival of this administration, many students had to leave tertiary institutions in Kaduna State for schools in neighboring states. Some completely dropped out due to the fee regime imposed by the last administration,” he added.
Prof. Bello also disclosed that Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions have introduced new courses that have successfully passed the resource verification process of regulatory agencies.
According to him, KASU’s courses were verified by the National Universities Commission (NUC), while those of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic were accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). He added that the National Commission for Colleges of Education accredited the courses at the College of Education, Gidan Waya.