In partnership with UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Governor Bala Mohammed recently flagged off the 2023 enrolment drive/ back to school campaign in a bid to reposition and uplift the standard of education in the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed made this known at the new Government House Banquet Hall, Bauchi while flagging off the campaign. He said his administration is committed to ensuring judicious utilisation of available resources towards the implementation of educational policies that will foster gender inclusion, promote equity, deliver quality learning and guarantee safe and violence-free schooling for all citizens in the state.
Governor Mohammed said his administration is concerned with the state of education and is always proactive in taking measures to address observed lapses in the education sector. Hence, the need to approve promotion of all teachers, renovation and construction of more schools, payments of examination fees, including JAMB in an effort to improve the working condition and welfare of teachers in the state in addition to the recruitment of additional 1,000 teachers to support teaching and learning.
“It is our moral and constitutional duty to ensure that every child in Bauchi State has access to quality education. I wish to use this occasion to express my special appreciation to UNICEF Nigeria and the Bauchi Field Office for their partnership and support to uplift education in the state.
“I am also grateful to FCDO, USAID, the World Bank, UNESCO and European Union as well as the organised private sector for the role they have been playing in this regard. I want to assure them that we shall expand and deepen our collaboration with them for quality education in Bauchi State.”
He explained that the establishment of the committee is a testimony of his administration’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education to every child in the state and the need to adapt to changing educational paradigms by ensuring effective learning and the acquisition of relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies.
The governor said the terms of reference of the committee are to undertake specific actions that will promote quality education (school attendance, transition and completion) in the state, including (Islamic, Quranic and Tsangaya Education), Nomadic and Second chance education at the local government and state levels.
According to him, the committee is expected to build partnership with relevant bodies for collaborative efforts and actions in the promotion of all citizens’ education in the state and to ensure that education issues are on the front burner of government agencies in the state.
Others include embarking on high level advocacy to the state government and relevant decision makers and to initiate and implement state enrolment drive activities at the local government and state levels, monitoring and evaluation of school projects and activities, to take responsibility for the effective implementation of the state education plans and to source for funds from donor agencies and other relevant organisations to supplement government’s effort in funding the education sector.
“I have no doubt that members of this Steering Committee are fervent supporters of educational reform in addition to being authorities in their respective disciplines. Your selection to serve on the committee is therefore based on your record of success, your commitment to the socio-economic development of the state and determination to make sure that no child is left behind in the acquisition of knowledge.
“Our goal as a government is to make Bauchi State a centre of educational excellence, where every kid has the chance to obtain a top-notch education that equips them with the capacity to face the challenges of the 21st century. To achieve this goal, we must work together tirelessly, leveraging your expertise, innovative ideas and a shared vision for a brighter tomorrow.”
