Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved permanent employment for 5,500 volunteer teachers under the umbrella of the Better Education Services Delivery for All (BESDA) initiative in the state.
The Governor announced this on Monday while speaking at the flag-off of the distribution of over two million education materials, which include books, mats and uniforms to primary and secondary schools in the state.
Also, he stated that the government has spent N1.3 billion on payments of the National Examination Council and National Board for Technical Education registration fees for 57,000 indigent students.
Governor Yusuf then directed the state Commissioner of Education, Umar Haruna Doguwa and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, to commence the screening of the volunteer teachers for immediate permanent employment in the state Civil services scheme.
Education is our number one, two and three priority. The Education support and instructional materials to schools in Kano State (primary, junior and secondary schools) is in keeping with our campaign promises and party manifesto to ensure the provision of quality education. I urge you to make judicious use of the materials that we are distributed.”
The Governor, however, gave them two weeks to screen the volunteer teachers and submit the report for further action.
He made the assertion while inaugurating the distribution of over two million educational materials to primary and secondary schools across the state.
According to him, the learning materials include textbooks, exercise books, school uniforms, pencils, biros, and school bags.
He said, ” I have just directed the Commissioner of Education and Secretary to the State Government to commence the process of screening all of you.
“I gave them two weeks to submit their report so that it could begin the employment process.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the role of our BESDA teachers who support uplifting our primary education. It is based on this recognition that we will do everything to assist them,” he said.
He added that the initiative was part of his resolve to improve the state’s quality education standard.
“Our administration has taken bold steps towards arresting the root causes of the decay that characterized our education system at all levels.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf disclosed that the state government has spent over N1.3 billion on payments to the National Examination Council and National Board for Technical Education registration fees for 57,000 indigent students.
“The era of pupils receiving lectures on the bare floor is totally over in our state. Already, we have a blueprint to ensure the provision of furniture for public institutions.
“We are operating a responsible government that would ensure the provision of qualitative and sound education for our pupils.”
Gov Yusuf hinted that the state government is constructing 130 new girls’ and boys’ schools in a bid to enrol out-of-school children in the next academic session.
He said the state was also paying an N20,000 monthly stipend to 40,000 indigent girls to encourage enrollment, retention, and completion of schools, while the government would employ 5,000 members of the State Basic Education Service Delivery Association.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Haruna-Doguwa, said the state government was committed to enhancing access to free quality education for all through the provision of basic learning materials to schools.
Doguwa noted that the items distributed to primary and secondary schools across the state during the event that took place at Coronation Hall, Government House, include over one million textbooks for English and mathematics; 40,000 uniforms; 670,000 exercise books; 15,000 bags and 15,000 pairs of school shoes, among others.
He then commended Governor Yusuf for his determination to revitalize the education sector in the state.
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