By Stephen Ojo
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state has announced that the sum of N300bn has been earmarked to revamp the education sector in the state to meet up with global best practices.
The Governor stated this on Tuesday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the revitalization of basic education infrastructure in Niger State with Marafa Basic School as pilot scheme.
He said arrangements have been concluded to expand schools and renovate them with 100 billion naira this year with an additional N100 billion to be provided for remodelling and upgrading of Schools to mega schools.
According to him, ” Government in line with its inclusive quality education for all, is committing N5b to expand and upgrade 25 existing nomadic Schools and intervention for Quranic and sangaya Schools while provision of N5b is also set aside for children with special needs for the next five years”.
He described education as a fundamental human right, adding that every child deserves to have education as government 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 Nigerlites at all levels. I appreciate the Universal Basic Education Board for their collaboration and continued support to basic education in the state”.
The Executive Chairman Niger State Universal Basic Education Board Muhammad Baba Ibrahim commended Farmer Governor Umaru Bago for his remarkable strides in the education sector through his new Niger Agenda.
He explained 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 enterpreneuship clubs, 2 home economics centres and 2 resource centres for children with special needs.
In a remark the state Commissioner for Basic education Dr. Asabe Hadiza Mohammed explained that the revitalization of the basic schools will open way for a robust educational system where children will be taught in convenient environment.
She said, “the inclusive education concept of the farmer Governor is bringing along girls, children with disabilities and girls in rural communities in ensuring that no child is left behind”.(www.krestnews.com).