Gov Idris registers out of school children into formal education

Governor Nasir Idris has announced that his administration will convene an education summit of all stakeholders in the sector aimed at strengthening strategies for educational growth and development in Kebbi State.

Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris made the announcement at the flag-off and distribution of educational kits to out-of-school children in Birnin Kebbi this Tuesday.

The Governor emphasized that his administration has standardized modalities to reduce the number of out-of-school children and has embarked on school reforms to provide a conducive learning environment.

"My administration, since coming to power, has spent more than nine billion naira to develop infrastructural facilities in schools, including the rehabilitation and construction of classrooms, provision of teaching and learning materials, as well as care for the welfare of teachers. I am one of your own as a professional teacher at the helm of affairs. I know the problems of teachers and teaching; the welfare of teachers is paramount. We will make teachers happy", he affirmed.

Governor Idris said the Kebbi State government would recruit qualified teachers to teach in schools as required by educational standards, adding that as a former National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, he is an automatic member of the Teachers Registration Council, TRC.

The Governor informed the gathering that the State Government has recorded successes in school enrolment and has drastically reduced the number of out-of-school children, which has positioned Kebbi State in a leading position of achievement among the 17 states with the highest number of such children.
 He commended the Federal Government for introducing the "Better Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA, program to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country, as well as praised the Minister of State for Education, Hon Tanko Yusuf Sununu, for making a positive impact on the educational sector in Kebbi State.

In  continuation of the ongoing enrolment of out-of-school children, Governor Nasir Idris registered Salim Sirajo and Firdausi Usman into the formal education system, providing them with kits containing school materials.

In his speech, the Minister of State for Education, Hon Tanko Yusuf Sununu, commended Governor Nasir Idris for his giant strides in educational growth and development in Kebbi State, and in other sectors, which have improved the quality of life of the people of Kebbi State.

The Minister described the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, estimated at between ten and twenty million, as worrisome, urging State Governments nationwide to join hands with the Federal Government to surmount the problem.
 Hon. Sununu requested Governor Kauran Gwandu, in his position as a traditional title holder, to mobilize Royal fathers to restore respect to teachers by involving headmasters in decision-making processes in all communities, both urban and rural areas.

The Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Professor Suleiman Khalid Jega, gave an overview with statistics, of the educational achievements of Kauran Gwandu administration. Professor Suleiman Khalid Jega happily announced that Kebbi State has taken the number one position among the 17 states implementing the BESDA program, designed to return out-of-school children back to the classroom.

Other speakers include, the Director, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folanke Olatunji, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, and the Commissioner in the Ministry, Dr. Halima Muhammad Bande, whom Governor Nasir Idris described as the "mother of the day".