Governor Uba Sani has inaugurated new infrastructure and educational measures for Basic Education across all 23 local councils in Kaduna State, aligning with his vision for human capital development. The event took place at Sultan Bello Primary School, Unguwan Sarki, and was attended by Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe.
Sani highlighted the significance of primary education, stating, “It is where a child learns to read, write, count, reason and relate with others.” He added that without a solid foundation, learning becomes unsteady.
“This administration views investment in basic education as investment in the future, not just expenditure on infrastructure,” he explained. His government has constructed or refurbished 3,267 classrooms, built 2,232 toilets, and created 180 boreholes for clean water to enhance hygienic conditions.
Moreover, Sani’s administration has set up 87 science laboratories and 29 computer centres to equip students with essential knowledge and skills for a modern world driven by science and technology. His government has also provided 81,540 sets of furniture to ensure students can comfortably learn.
In collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Islamic Development Bank, four Bilingual Education Schools have been established in Igabi, Zaria, Kubau, and Giwa, creating 192 classrooms for 7,680 out-of-school children. The governor reiterated his commitment to not only improving school facilities but also to increasing enrolment in the education system.
“I believe the quality of learning matters. We have distributed 545,748 teaching and learning materials across core subjects,” he added.
Additionally, 33,137 educators and School Support Officers have received training in various instructional methods, including computer skills and classroom management.
Speaking at the ceremony, Education Commissioner Prof Abubakar Sani Sambo announced the introduction of an annual ‘Best Teacher of the Year’ award and confirmed an increase in the minimum wage for primary school teachers from N38,000 to N72,000. He also mentioned that N548 million has been released to resolve a long-standing dispute regarding retired teachers’ benefits and announced an extension of service years for teachers from 35 to 40 years.
Sambo urged community members to take responsibility for maintaining schools and their facilities.
Mubarak Mohammed, Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, highlighted that while the commissioning was held at Sultan Bello Primary School, similar initiatives are being implemented across the state. He revealed that they have distributed an additional 1.1 million teaching materials and acquired resources to enhance classroom conditions.
“We must ensure that educational resources effectively reach classrooms and make a difference,” he stated.
