By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced advocacy visits to all 20 emirates across the state as part of efforts to address the growing challenge of vandalism of school infrastructure and improve the quality of basic education.
Speaking yesterday during an advocacy visit to the Emirates of Darazo and Dambam, traditional rulers in the two emirates called for urgent government intervention to tackle vandalism, deteriorating school facilities, teacher absenteeism, and low enrolment in public schools.
The advocacy team, led by the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Alhaji Abubakar Isah Baba, is engaging traditional institutions to strengthen partnerships aimed at protecting educational facilities and enhancing learning outcomes across the state.
Receiving the delegation, the Emir of Darazo, Alhaji Ibrahim Babayo Bababa, stressed the need to safeguard schools from external threats and acts of vandalism.
He noted that fencing school premises would help prevent unauthorised access, reduce vandalism, and create a safer environment for teaching and learning.
The royal father described the protection of educational institutions as a collective responsibility and urged the government, particularly SUBEB, to take proactive measures to address challenges affecting schools across the emirate.
According to him, many public schools have suffered severe infrastructural damage due to years of neglect, windstorms, and acts of vandalism, including the theft of desks, windows, doors, and roofing materials.
The Emir also expressed concern over teacher absenteeism, low enrolment, and the shortage of teaching and learning materials, calling on the government to urgently address the issues.
In his response, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Alhaji Abubakar Isah Baba, commended the Emir for his commitment to education and reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to improving standards in the basic education sector.
He emphasised the critical role of traditional rulers in promoting school enrolment, reducing child hawking, and supporting campaigns aimed at returning out-of-school children to the classroom.
The SUBEB chairman further assured the royal father of the board’s commitment to strengthening monitoring and evaluation activities in schools and appealed to parents and communities to support government efforts to improve educational standards across the state.
Similarly, the advocacy team visited the Emir of Dambam, Alhaji Idris Bappah Musa, who welcomed the delegation and pledged his support towards revitalising the basic education system within the emirate.
The advocacy visits were organised by the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office. The initiative is designed to strengthen partnerships with traditional institutions, improve the quality of basic education, and secure a brighter future for children across Bauchi State.
Our correspondent reports that the advocacy campaign seeks the support and cooperation of traditional rulers in protecting educational facilities, preventing vandalism, and promoting community ownership of school infrastructure.
The board believes that engaging the emirates will play a vital role in safeguarding public investments in education and ensuring a conducive learning environment for pupils throughout the state.
